The Woman I Was and the Mom I Became

Before kids, my mornings were my own. I was always the first one ready, enjoying quiet moments with a hot cup of tea and a little time in front of the mirror. My hair, my outfit, and of course, my lipstick — everything had to be just right. My purse reflected this part of my life, full of lipsticks, mascara, perfumes, and small beauty essentials that made me feel confident and put together. Those mornings were calm, predictable, and entirely mine.

Then motherhood arrived, quietly at first, then all at once. The day I held my first baby, I realized nothing would ever be the same. Mornings no longer revolved around makeup or matching outfits — they revolved around feedings, diaper changes, and keeping a tiny human happy. Sleep became a luxury, tea often went cold, and my carefully curated routines were replaced by the unpredictable rhythm of motherhood.

Before I had adjusted to life with one child, my daughter was born — when my firstborn was only 1.7 years old. Suddenly, I had two little ones, so close in age that they often seem like twins. Double the energy, double the mess, and double the love. Some days feel like running a marathon: two tiny hands pulling at me at the same time, two sets of bottles to wash, and two pairs of little feet racing across the living room while I try to keep up.

Even my purse has changed completely. Once it held lipsticks, compact powders, and the tools that made me feel like myself. Now, it carries diapers, burp cloths, feeding bottles, and tiny clothes. My elegant clutch has been replaced by a tote bag that holds everything I need for my toddlers and newborn. My love for makeup has shifted too — from lipsticks and mascara to feeding, soothing, and caring for my children.

There are mornings when I miss the woman I used to be — the one who could enjoy a quiet shower, sip hot coffee, and take her time getting ready. But when I watch my children laughing together, holding hands, or napping side by side, I realize this version of me is just as alive, just as purposeful. Motherhood hasn’t taken away my identity; it has reshaped it. I am now stronger, more patient, and more aware of what truly matters.

I notice the same experience all around me, especially in the U.S., where many mothers juggle toddlers and newborns at the same time. It’s a quiet sisterhood — women carrying diaper bags instead of handbags, rushing to feed, soothe, and care for their children, all while trying to remember who they are underneath the chaos.

From lipstick to diapers, life has changed in ways I could never have imagined. It’s messy, often overwhelming, and nothing like the calm mornings I once knew — but it’s also full of moments richer than any makeup could ever create. True beauty isn’t in appearances anymore; it’s in patience, love, and tiny hands holding mine.

I may no longer be the first one ready in the morning, and my purse may never hold lipsticks again, but I carry something far more valuable: the lives, laughter, and love of my children. From lipstick to diapers, this journey has shown me that transformation can be messy, chaotic, exhausting — and utterly beautiful.