my reflections on the journey into motherhood
After one week of maternity leave, having checked off all the to-do’s I thought would never end, I find myself in a strange new phase. I’ve decided to call it: ‘transit.’
It hit me yesterday how much this phase feels like being in transit at the airport. You know, that in-between time between flights when you’re just waiting.
At first, this phase feels refreshing. Life has been so busy, rushing from one thing to the next, barely catching your breath. But now, in transit, you’re (temporarily) stuck in the moment. There’s no next step yet—just the here and now. And for a while, it’s nice. No one expects anything from you except that you wait and maybe find ways to entertain yourself.
It feels like a small gift. You wander through the airport, maybe buy a good book, treat yourself to a coffee, and for once, you actually have time to read. Or maybe you’re the type to grab the best seat, watch planes take off, and call your mom for a good chat.
But here’s the thing about transit: it only exists because something else is coming. Without that connecting flight, the airport staff would politely escort you out—bags in hand—through baggage claim and into the real world. So, after a while, transit becomes a time of reflection. You think about the flight you’ve just taken, the days leading up to your holiday. But you also start to wonder about what’s ahead: What will the hotel be like? Will I really be able to relax?
And then, inevitably, comes the moment when you’re over it. After two delays and three gate changes, your patience wears thin. How much longer can this last?
Here’s where my story diverges. The transit I’m in isn’t leading to a round trip. It’s a one-way journey to a whole new destination, with no return ticket. The weight of that realization is huge. It makes this time in transit feel like so much more than waiting—it’s a time to reflect deeply. To look back at how far I’ve come, through moments I once thought I’d never survive. To feel a profound sense of gratitude for life, for myself, and for the people who’ve supported me along the way.
At first, I was so anxious for my baby to arrive as soon as possible. But now? I feel calm. I’m using this time to reflect on the past, savor the present, and dream about the future.
Life moves fast. Too fast, sometimes. And because of that, we rarely allow ourselves the chance to pause when we’re on the verge of a big change. We don’t always give ourselves time to stop and simply be in transit
