How did your relationship to your career or ambitions change after becoming a mom?

30 year old consultant here, I work a pretty demanding job for a tech company and have long been a “high achiever”, one of those who associated their career success with their identity. I’m slowly breaking away from that mold, partly because I’ve cultivated a (somewhat) well rounded life outside of work, and partly because I’m just flat out tired. Once I get my next promotion I have no intention of climbing further. I used to be ashamed of this and am still coming to terms with it.

As I set my sights on motherhood in the next few years, I’m interested to know for others like myself how their relationship to their job changed. Did you spend less mental energy on it, care less about your reputation or perception, etc? Did you ever feel misunderstood or like you needed to justify your outlook to more ambitious colleagues? If you struggled with it, how did you gradually come to acceptance? Will having a child alter my brain chemistry in a way where my waning corporate ambition doesn’t even become a concern?

Sorry if I sound crazy, just trying to do the work now so I am mentally prepared for what’s to come.