I feel this deeply! Here in New York, more and more of our friends are starting to move away, my favorite barista moved states and the baby just grows and grows. Change is really hard for me too, I grieve every major shift but I remind myself that whatever is on the other side can be great too. And two things can be true- we can want things to stay the same and also happily anticipate what’s to come.
This post hits the core of the motherhood paradox! Thank you for articulating this so beautifully, Bri.
It’s such a universal experience for women who prided themselves on being adaptable, the sudden, intense craving for stability the second little ones arrive. Motherhood seems to fundamentally rewire us from "explorer" to "guardian of the perfect moment."
I especially relate to that line: "In the most joyful moments... I look around and I think to myself, 'I don’t ever want this to change'." It's the moment the beauty of this specific, fleeting phase hits you, followed immediately by the heartbreak of knowing time won't stand still.
It takes real work to hold space for both the joy and the heartache, but that's precisely what makes this season so rich. Thanks for sharing this important musing! ❤️
Gosh. I relate to both the childhood moves and badge of honor feeling from it, and also the emphasis on staying rooted in one place in motherhood. I have always wondered if *my moving* as a child has influenced this feeling in parenting.
It’s funny, I actually find I’m the opposite - motherhood has made me much less rigid, and I find I keep a looser grip on everything knowing that change is always up ahead. I feel a lot more equipped for it now, if that makes sense?
That’s really funny, maybe it just brought out the opposite trait in us based on how we were originally :) I don’t know about you, but motherhood has changed me more than any other season of life, in the best way.
I feel this deeply! Here in New York, more and more of our friends are starting to move away, my favorite barista moved states and the baby just grows and grows. Change is really hard for me too, I grieve every major shift but I remind myself that whatever is on the other side can be great too. And two things can be true- we can want things to stay the same and also happily anticipate what’s to come.
This post hits the core of the motherhood paradox! Thank you for articulating this so beautifully, Bri.
It’s such a universal experience for women who prided themselves on being adaptable, the sudden, intense craving for stability the second little ones arrive. Motherhood seems to fundamentally rewire us from "explorer" to "guardian of the perfect moment."
I especially relate to that line: "In the most joyful moments... I look around and I think to myself, 'I don’t ever want this to change'." It's the moment the beauty of this specific, fleeting phase hits you, followed immediately by the heartbreak of knowing time won't stand still.
It takes real work to hold space for both the joy and the heartache, but that's precisely what makes this season so rich. Thanks for sharing this important musing! ❤️
Thank you so much for reading, and for the kind words. I’m so glad it felt relatable!
Gosh. I relate to both the childhood moves and badge of honor feeling from it, and also the emphasis on staying rooted in one place in motherhood. I have always wondered if *my moving* as a child has influenced this feeling in parenting.
It’s funny, I actually find I’m the opposite - motherhood has made me much less rigid, and I find I keep a looser grip on everything knowing that change is always up ahead. I feel a lot more equipped for it now, if that makes sense?
I love that you shared this, it got me thinking 🙂
That’s really funny, maybe it just brought out the opposite trait in us based on how we were originally :) I don’t know about you, but motherhood has changed me more than any other season of life, in the best way.