RMC 21 - The “before & after” of becoming a mother

This episode is a raw reflection on how I used to see mothers before becoming one, and how much of that perception was shaped by judgment, conditioning, and internalised beliefs I didn’t even realise I was carrying. I talk about the invisible “glass wall” between women and mothers, and how I used to view mothers as loud, messy, and somehow less than. Women whose best years were behind them. I share honestly about the expectations I had, the kind of mother I thought I would be, and how that changed once I entered motherhood myself. I go into the reality of matrescence, postpartum anxiety, rage, and the parts of motherhood that are rarely spoken about. I also reflect on the messages we hear and repeat, like “at least the baby is healthy” or “you chose this”, and why they dismiss the full experience of being a mother. This conversation also touches on the deeper layers: how growing up in a culture rooted in martyr motherhood and patriarchal expectations shaped my beliefs about women, mothers, and worth. And what it looks like to start unlearning that. Thank you for listening. If this episode resonates, please rate, review, and share—so we can keep normalizing the real, raw, and messy beauty of mothering together. LET'S CONNECT:Grab your e-book - Mothering Through Human DesignOn Instagram - @annamariapapayovaMy website - www.fabwmn.comBook a Becoming Session - BECOMING | Fab WmnSend me your questions, podcast suggestions and reflections: [email protected]