When You Feel Your Identity has Changed

The past few months I have been working on creating a community where I can best have an outlet with those "alike" in the mom realm, and as I was writing the following post this morning I realized that the subject of "identity" and "branding" and "image" are things everyone in every walk of life struggles with and thought perhaps this would resonate even further with a wider audience. (as posted on @sahm_chronicles @therealsahmchronicles)

On this day one year ago my husband went back to work after taking the time off immediately after our daughter was born. I was still in recovery for a c-section, and it was Day 1 of just me and my girl. I remember looking in the mirror saying “who am I now?” Life changes will do this. Make us question our identity or feel we are lost. I stood in front my that full length mirror in maternity pants and a pre-maternity shirt thinking how I didn’t recognize myself. Clothes off and I definitely didn’t with a c-section scar (which even now I don’t have any qualms over), stretch marks, and just a body that was working it’s way to a new normal. I was on maternity leave from work (which I eventually got terminated from weeks later from and that did a whopper to my self esteem... another post), and it was now taking on this new role head on as “Mom”. Did this fully define me now?
Some people need to be defined by their job. Others by attributes, social status, or how they think the world sees them. This past year I dealt with baby blues... HARD. Never feeling comfortable in my skin, what I wore, in social situations..... I didn’t know “me”. Instead of trying to be who I WAS it was redefining and growing into something NEW. I’m still full of sass, blunt honesty, love, and I had to change my views of “beauty” and “good enough”. I ransacked my closet ridding of what felt “old”, and found myself even drawn to different people.
A year later I’m still figuring it out as I look for the possible RIGHT job... not one that needs to define me but one that values me and my needs for work/life balance. Continuing a journey to not let others change or define me but changing my own mindset and as a Christian remembering how God defines me.
Did you struggle with identity after having your baby? Or perhaps when you got married? Are you struggling now? Where are you seeking that acceptance or validation?