Motherhood and the Loss of Autonomy: Finding Freedom Again

Ep 5: When Motherhood Takes Your Independence — Reclaiming Space for You

Motherhood is often described as a season of losing your identity, but what doesn’t get talked about enough is the loss of autonomy. That sudden shift from living life on your own terms to having every decision — big or small — filtered through the lens of motherhood.

In this episode we dive deep into the invisible weight so many mums carry: the frustration, the guilt, and the constant logistics of having little people rely on you 24/7. From missing the simple freedom of leaving the house on a whim, to feeling guilty for even wanting space for yourself, this conversation is for every mum who has ever thought, “When do I get to just be me again?”

We talk about:

• Why autonomy is about more than “me-time” and why it matters for your mental health.

• How the loss of independence shows up not just in the baby years, but in school runs, extracurricular activities, and beyond.

• Practical ways to reclaim small pieces of autonomy without guilt (yes, it’s possible!).

• Why wanting independence doesn’t make you ungrateful—it makes you human.

💌 Resources Mentioned:

• Tune into Laura Struys episode where she chats about how she juggles ‘me time’ & how she set firm boundaries about to refill her cup

• Join our "Who Am I Now?” Workshop starting November 1st.

• Shop our NJAM Caps and join the club. By doing so you’ll be directly supporting this podcast.

💬 Listener Takeaway:

This episode is your reminder that autonomy doesn’t disappear when you become a mum. It evolves. And you deserve to honour your freedom and independence while still showing up as a loving, present mother.

🎧 Listen to the Episode Now:

Hit play on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
And don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss upcoming episodes where we unpack identity, motherhood, and finding YOU again.

Craving independence doesn’t make you less of a mum; it makes you whole.