The contrast here almost feels absurd, how one life stage is seen as credible, while the other is treated like a liability to explain away.
I’ve felt this within myself since becoming a mum. It can feel so easy to disregard the work of mothering, making it feel “less than” the professional life I had previously, even though it has been the most challenging and profound work of my life. I think of the invisible work of decision-making, the emotional regulation, and the constant adaptation. Motherhood changes you at a level that doesn’t fit neatly onto a CV, but is no less real for it. Thanks for showing us that.
I’m going to be thinking about your final line. Sometimes mothers don’t need more proof. They need a door to open. I’ll be meditating on this: How do we open this door for mothers…
Ayla, thank you for your comment! I don't usually write "fiction" like this, but I felt it was the best way to make the point – and the best way to make people a bit, I don't know, uncomfortable reading it – but also very seen, as you've shared.
It's totally absurd that this is the reality for so many mothers – and I love your framing on proof vs doors. Let's meditate on that together! X
Ugh, so real it’s painful! So so accurate. The Jessicas deserve to run the world and it takes so much for a Jessica to just be given the opportunity after having to advocate for herself like her livelihood depends on it, because it does. 🫠 brilliant work, my friend 👏👏👏
One of the many reasons why I love your work is that you rly put the pen to paper on solutions. Yes, many of us quip and gripe about work systems not being designed for motherhood, but the work to actually make those changes requires constant diligence that isn’t always romantic to read and you CONTINUOUSLY grind on the gritty work needed to make things different for future mothers. This is a long game and you’re playing it beautifully 💗
The contrast here almost feels absurd, how one life stage is seen as credible, while the other is treated like a liability to explain away.
I’ve felt this within myself since becoming a mum. It can feel so easy to disregard the work of mothering, making it feel “less than” the professional life I had previously, even though it has been the most challenging and profound work of my life. I think of the invisible work of decision-making, the emotional regulation, and the constant adaptation. Motherhood changes you at a level that doesn’t fit neatly onto a CV, but is no less real for it. Thanks for showing us that.
I’m going to be thinking about your final line. Sometimes mothers don’t need more proof. They need a door to open. I’ll be meditating on this: How do we open this door for mothers…
Ayla, thank you for your comment! I don't usually write "fiction" like this, but I felt it was the best way to make the point – and the best way to make people a bit, I don't know, uncomfortable reading it – but also very seen, as you've shared.
It's totally absurd that this is the reality for so many mothers – and I love your framing on proof vs doors. Let's meditate on that together! X
Ugh, so real it’s painful! So so accurate. The Jessicas deserve to run the world and it takes so much for a Jessica to just be given the opportunity after having to advocate for herself like her livelihood depends on it, because it does. 🫠 brilliant work, my friend 👏👏👏
The Jessica’s deserve so much more!! Thanks for reading my friend 😘
One of the many reasons why I love your work is that you rly put the pen to paper on solutions. Yes, many of us quip and gripe about work systems not being designed for motherhood, but the work to actually make those changes requires constant diligence that isn’t always romantic to read and you CONTINUOUSLY grind on the gritty work needed to make things different for future mothers. This is a long game and you’re playing it beautifully 💗
I will forever be grateful to have you in my corner! Thank you xx
this isn't fiction
Nope! We’ve seen these stories a few too many times huh!