11/06/2025
Matrescence is like Adolescence, first defined by Dr Aurelie Athan:
Just as adolescence is the period of transition from child to adult that affects every aspect of life, so too is matrescence: it is the period of transition from woman to mother, and affects every aspect of life.
When you became a mother, you split in two: who you used to be, and The Mother.
And Matrescence is about exploring what that split is, and how to bring your whole self back together again.
and…..
What happens when we don’t understand this split, or feel safe and supported to express it? Guilt. Shame. Fear. Isolation. Perfectionism.
And this is WHY I hav created The Mama Haven space - brought to you from my Mama Rising Facilitator training and Beautiful You Life coaching is all about exploring who you are now you're a mama - no matter how long ago you first became a mama and understanding that you are in the middle of a huge transformation of identity.
I love the analogy shared in my Mama Rising training of the stomach muscle splitting and it taking time to come back to a strong centre, it will not happen overnight and it is a physical thing that happens which doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you, or you are failing.
Brining to our awareness the shame, guilt, fear, pain, anxiety that comes with sharing our devotion to two things at once and finding ways to slowly and gradually bring this back to centre.
I first heard the whispers of Matrescence when I was a new mum 8 years ago from Nikki Mccahon and then again at my coaching awards night in March 2024 as Amy Taylor Kabbaz the woman I trained with, stood on stage and whispered the word matresence and the work she did whilst winning the coaching of a decade award.
So I am here 18 months later completely and utterly grateful…..