What is Matrescence?
Motherhood is often portrayed as a beautiful and transformative experience, but few people discuss the identity shift that occurs along the way. This transition is known as matrescence, a term coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael to describe the profound emotional, physical, and psychological transformation that occurs when a woman becomes a mother. Just as adolescence is a recognised period of change, matrescence is a powerful, ongoing process that deserves attention, reflection, and care.
The Silent Transformation
From the moment she conceives, a woman embarks on a journey of profound transformation. In maternity, her body changes, her hormones fluctuate, her relationships shift, and her sense of self evolves. While the birth of a child is celebrated, the birth of a mother often goes unnoticed.
Matrescence is not just about learning to care for a newborn—it is about navigating an entirely new identity. It is the intersection of physical recovery, emotional adjustment, shifting relationships, and the profound realisation that life will never be the same. Some mothers experience joy and empowerment, while others feel grief for their former selves, anxiety over their new role, or both at once. These emotions are normal, yet they are rarely acknowledged in mainstream conversations.
Why Reflection Is Essential
Acknowledging and processing matrescence is vital. Unlike other life transitions, this happens in the background while new mothers are expected to "adjust." Reflecting on and documenting this experience helps make sense of it all—especially when looking back years later. Memories fade, emotions evolve, and the challenges once faced may become difficult to recall.
This is why Recollection Portraits are such a powerful tool. Combining photography and personal audio storytelling, these sessions provide a safe space for mothers to process, reflect, and honour their transformation. Through maternity, birth, and first-year reflections, women can capture how they looked and felt during this remarkable transition.
Matrescence is a journey, not a moment. Like any meaningful journey, it deserves to be remembered, honoured, and celebrated.