198. Why Motherhood Triggers You: Matrescence, Mom Guilt and Internal Family Systems with Dr. Angele Close

Have you ever wondered why motherhood can bring out emotions you didn't even know were there? One minute you can feel completely in love with your kids, and the next you're angry, overwhelmed, guilty, or wondering why something that seems so small is affecting you so deeply. In this episode, Whitney talks with Dr. Angele Close, a clinical psychologist and certified IFS therapist, about matrescence, the emotional and psychological transformation that happens when we become mothers, and why so many of us aren't given the language to understand what we're going through. Dr. Close shares her own experience of becoming a mother and realizing that being a therapist didn't make her immune to the challenges of motherhood. Through major life changes, grief, moving from Canada to the U.S., and the uncertainty of the pandemic, she found herself confronting emotions and reactions she didn't always understand. She eventually discovered Internal Family Systems, or IFS, which helped her understand the different parts of us that show up to protect us when we feel stressed, overwhelmed, or hurt. Whitney and Dr. Close also talk about mom guilt, the pressure to be a "good mom," and why some of our biggest reactions with our kids may be pointing us toward parts of ourselves that need more attention and compassion. This conversation offers a different way to look at the hard parts of motherhood. Dr. Close shares how getting curious about our emotions can help us feel calmer, more connected and compassionate with ourselves and our kids. Here's what you can look forward to in this episode: What matrescence is and why motherhood can feel like such a major internal shift Angel's unexpected journey into motherhood Why motherhood can bring up anger, guilt, shame, and overwhelm How Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help us understand our reactions The pressure to be a "good mom" and where mom guilt comes from How motherhood can bring unhealed parts of ourselves to the surface What "self-energy" means and how to cultivate more calm, compassion, and connection Simple ways to reconnect with yourself through mindfulness, nature, and creativity How our inner work can impact our connection with our children Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Whitney - book a 15-minute Spark Session Connect with Whitney: Instagram l Website l 5 Days to Less Stress, More Satisfaction l Tend to Your Soul Toolkit l 10 Soulful Journaling Prompts | Electric Ideas Podcast Connect with Dr. Close: Instagram | Website | Book: Unburdening Motherhood