Insightful Life

Tag: family

  • They Didn’t Choose This – Why ‘Care Leaver’ Should Be a Protected Characteristic

    The author reflects on their experience supporting care leavers transitioning into adulthood and highlights systemic failures in the support provided to them. Care leavers face significant challenges, including higher risks of homelessness and mental health issues. They argue for the recognition of care leavers as a protected group, deserving legal safeguards to prevent discrimination and…

  • The Roads I Didn’t Travel – In Another Life, I Stayed

    Last week, I visited a past version of myself. A pilgrimage, if you will, to a life I could have had – but didn’t – for one reason or another. As a child, I was fortunate enough to experience holidays in different countries. Cultures, languages, foods, environments, and histories that were unlike my own. Now,…

  • How Bittersweet It Is To Be A Parent – Travelling the Path to Letting Go

    School holidays often reveal parenting nuances hidden in daily routines. A mother observes her teenage sons deep in conversation, realizing their world no longer centers around her. This realization evokes mixed feelings of pride and grief as she acknowledges the bittersweet nature of raising children. The struggle between joy and sorrow in parenting reflects the…

  • Ever Heard of Matrescence? You Should Have

    The experience of motherhood, often termed “matrescence,” transforms a woman’s identity, leaving her needs overshadowed by those of her baby. Many mothers feel their rights and dignity become irrelevant, as social dynamics shift. Following traumatic childbirth experiences, they may find themselves receiving visits focused on the baby instead of their well-being. This profound transition involves…

  • My Car Broke Down and My Village Turned Up – Challenging Western Notions of Independence in the Modern World

    The author reflects on a car breakdown that highlighted the importance of community and reliance on others. Despite societal pressures to be self-sufficient, the experience reinforced the idea that humans are inherently social beings. They sought help from loved ones and professionals, realizing that vulnerability is part of life. Ultimately, the breakdown served as a…