Motherhood and Activism: the perfect pair for change
By Rachelle Adad Mesley
I’m the type of person who has always known who I was and what I wanted. But that all changed once I became a mother.
Nothing really prepares you for the rollercoaster of emotions that you experience: love, loneliness, joy, sadness, pride, guilt, adoration, self contempt, calmness, rage.
Even my journey into motherhood was not what I expected. I most definitely did not have that pregnancy glow; instead my complexion had a constant green tint of nausea.
I love my children and I love being a mother. I really do. But in those first four years, I felt like I lost myself to motherhood.
Being a mother was all I did, it was all I was. I didn’t have any friends, I didn’t go out, and I felt like I lost my passion for social justice. I didn’t know who I was anymore, and the postnatal depression and anxiety only made it worse.
My loss of identity led me to reach out to others, friends that I met from Parents For Future UK, and to hear their perspectives, in the hope of providing a sense of comfort and relief for people. I want to let others know that we don’t have to lose ourselves completely to the role.
Motherhood and Activism: the perfect pair for change