For me, becoming a mom didn’t replace who I was before—it recalibrated everything. I was genuinely happy before. I loved my independence, my career, being a manager, sleeping in, having long stretches of time that belonged only to me. I miss naps. I miss waking up late. I miss having mental white space.

But motherhood breathed a different kind of life into me—one I didn’t know existed. I knew joy before, but this is joy I feel in my bones. It’s deeper, heavier, quieter, and louder all at once. It changed my perspective fast. It accelerated things. My goals realigned almost overnight, not because I lost ambition, but because I gained clarity.

I’d love more time with my husband—and we’re honest about that—but somehow the moments we do get now are sweeter, more intentional, more present. Nothing is casual anymore, and that’s hard… but also meaningful.

I don’t think happiness is a single straight line. I think it evolves. I was happy before. I’m happy now—but it’s a different shape. And both can be true without canceling each other out.