Story #11
- the one who believes in quiet strength
Mom M
Based in Hongkong
*This story is based on a recorded conversation. It has been lightly edited for clarity and flow, with direct quotes preserved to reflect the speaker’s voice.
My Story
Q 1 : What was your life like before becoming a mother?
Before becoming a mother, my life was indeed quite free-spirited and easygoing.
I had a steady job, opportunities to travel, meaningful social interactions — and I genuinely enjoyed that phase of my life. Looking back now, I think I was truly happy.
There was a sense of balance between independence and fulfillment, and I was satisfied with the person I was becoming.
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But when I started thinking about motherhood, I also felt a lot of nervousness and self-doubt.
I was afraid that I wouldn’t be a “qualified” or “good enough” mom. I worried that once I had a child, I might not be able to juggle work and family well, or that I’d lose the freedom to simply be myself.
There was also pressure coming from what I saw online — social media was full of images of so-called “super moms” who seemed to master every skill imaginable: parenting, career, cooking, crafting, education…
It made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough, or that I could never measure up, and that sense of comparison often led to anxiety.
Q 2 : How has becoming a mother changed your mindset, priorities, or daily life?
After becoming a mother, my priorities gradually shifted more toward family life.
I chose to spend more time accompanying my children as they grew up, offering them support in different areas of their development — emotionally, academically, and beyond.
That said, I’ve always held on to my own interests and hobbies.
Being a mother is just one part of who I am — I’m also my own person, with passions and a life beyond motherhood.
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Now, looking back on more than a decade, I realize how quickly the time has passed.
Through all those ordinary, everyday moments, my children and I have developed a strong emotional bond — quiet but deeply rooted.
It hasn’t always been dramatic or extraordinary, but it’s real, and it's meaningful.
Q 3 : Has becoming a mother affected your career development or professional goals?
For me, becoming a mother did place certain limitations on my professional development — but it was a conscious choice.
I decided to devote more of my energy to my family and my children, which naturally meant that my pursuit of career advancement took a backseat.
It wasn’t that I gave up on having a career, but rather that I redefined what mattered most to me at that stage of life.
And in doing so, I accepted that my professional growth would move at a slower pace.
Q 5: How does your parenting approach differ from how your parents raised you?
My parenting style is quite different from that of my parents’ generation — and I think that’s only natural.
Different times, different social environments, and different understandings of child development have led to two completely different approaches to raising children.
Our generation tends to approach parenting in a more “scientific” and informed way.
Depending on the stage or the situation, we may be more relaxed or more serious — sometimes hands-off, and other times very particular about what matters.
It’s a balance between flexibility and intentionality, shaped by the times we live in.
Q 6: What would you like to say to women who may become mothers in the future?
Motherhood is not always easy — the road is often winding, filled with moments of exhaustion, struggle, and uncertainty.
But don’t lose heart.
When you look back one day, you’ll see that it was all worth it.
Have faith in your children.
Wait patiently — and trust that one day, they will bloom in their own time.
Your Voice Matters
What part of this story resonates with you?
Would you like to share your own voice—or someone else’s?
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Let’s keep building this archive of mother-identities together.
Submit Your Story
at the bottom of "story 1"
-Emily Shao
