847. What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Parent

No one tells you what becoming a parent actually feels like. Not the baby registry, not the birth plan—but the identity shift, the relationship changes, the loneliness, grief, and joy that cracks you open. In this solo, Lindsey shares what she genuinely wishes someone had told her before becoming a mom. From nervous system overload + sleep deprivation to partnership strain + matrescence (the emotional + psychological transformation of motherhood), Lindsey pulls back the curtain on early parenthood. This isn’t about fear—it’s about truth. The discomfort, the rewiring, the ego death, and the profound expansion that comes with raising a child. If you’re a new mom, thinking about becoming a parent, or deep in your own identity shift in your 30s, this episode will make you feel seen. It’s honest, grounding, and deeply reassuring: you’re not doing it wrong—it’s just that big of a transformation. We also talk about: Why motherhood expands your capacity for discomfort The nervous system rewiring that happens after having a baby Intrusive thoughts + heightened sensitivity in early motherhood Relationship changes after a baby (+ the Gottman research on partnership dips) Why you don’t “go back” to your old self—and why that’s freeing Matrescence + identity loss in your 30s Grieving your old life while loving your child How motherhood ruthlessly edits your priorities Perfectionism in parenting + attachment research truths Emotional availability vs. “doing it right” Loneliness in early motherhood + building your village Reparenting yourself while raising your child Resources: Instagram: @lindseysimcik Order our book, Almost 30: A Definitive Guide To A Life You Love For The Next Decade and Beyond, here: https://bit.ly/Almost30Book.  Sponsors: Our Place | Visit https://www.fromourplace.com/ALMOST30 and use code ALMOST30 for 10% off sitewide.  Fatty15 | Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://www.fatty15.com/ALMOST30 and use code ALMOST30 at checkout.  Ka’Chava | Go to https://www.kachava.com and use code ALMOST30 for 15% off your next order. Ritual | Don’t settle for less than evidence-based support. My listeners get 25% off your first month at https://www.Ritual.com/ALMOST30.  Hero Bread | Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://hero.co and use code ALMOST30 at checkout. Gaia | On https://www.gaia.com, you get access to over 8,000 original, ad-free series, documentaries, and classes — along with a global community of more than 800,000 people exploring deeper truth and human potential. Revolve | Shop at https://www.REVOLVE.com/ALMOST30 and use code ALMOST30 for 15% off your first order. #REVOLVEpartner BetterHelp | This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/almost30 and get on your way to being your best self with 10% off your first month. Chime | It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to https://www.Chime.com/ALMOST30. Paleovalley | Head to https://www.paleovalley.com/almost30 for 15% off your order! To advertise on this podcast please email: [email protected]. Learn More: https://almost30.com/about https://almost30.com/morningmicrodose https://almost30.com/book Join our community: https://facebook.com/Almost30podcast/groups https://instagram.com/almost30podcast https://tiktok.com/@almost30podcast https://youtube.com/Almost30Podcast Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: almost30.com/disclaimer.  Almost 30 is edited by Garett Symes and Isabella Vaccaro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices