I was honored to participate in the Mother’s Day Rally for Mental Health on Katherine Stone’s blog (Postpartum Progress) this year. Katherine posted letters to new moms from 24 writers who have gone through postpartum depression or anxiety. Each letter is so moving + powerful… and a must-read for your mama friends out there. So many of us don’t realize what we’re going through until we’re on the other side. We don’t get the support we need because we think we don’t deserve it, or that it’s not that bad, or we’re too ashamed…
These letters bust through all of that and share the real deal. So proud to be a part of it. Share it with the moms in your life. My piece is getting more help thank you think you deserve.
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Andrea, I loved your piece on getting help and being transparent. We, as mothers, as women, are so much more alike than we are different. And, yes, when we are honest about our experiences, we will indeed be rewarded with connection- I so agree with that statement. Thanks for putting this out there, and for your honesty and vulnerability.
Wow, Andrea. That was a beautiful piece. I haven’t had children (though I have step parented), but depression has most definitely part of my journey, and continues to threaten a come-back when I’m not taking care of myself. I whole-heartedly agree that sharing with loved ones what you’re struggling with is so important, and being willing to ask for help. It’s a journey to loving oneself — being willing to reveal yourself to the world — especially when we are feeling our least put-together.
After 9 months of suffering from symptoms, I went to see my general practitioner who recommended that I make an appointment with my midwife immediately. I have an appointment on Wednesday but your article couldn’t have come at a better time. Serendipity. Thank you.
What a beautiful piece. It’s so true – the second we’re transparent everything becomes so much easier, like we can breathe again. I had my daughter 9 weeks ago, and while it’s SO MUCH EASIER this time around, reading your piece and what the other women wrote was exactly what I needed : ).
Thank you, Andrea. You cannot imagine how much your story and wisdom are literally helping, soothing and guiding me in this very moment. A miracle really. “Get more help than you think you deserve.” I have perversely been repeating the opposite these past few days (years/lifetimes) in response to help that is being offered. Wondering what is wrong with me: asking the universe for help, receiving an answer, and then rejecting it. Crazy. So today, right now, I am intending to soften with your mantra (loosening my shame and scarcity mindset grip) and hopefully, open and receive. I am humbled by and grateful to you. xo
Andrea, the wisdom you have shared echoes my experience for the past two years and the realization I came to just within the past week. May 3, 2011 I had my first son showing signs of PPD even in my pregnancy. May 7, 2012 I had my second son, born 6 weeks early, in the ER….Just now after going on “vacation” with my family, and not ALLOWING others to help, thus making myself more anxious, I came to a breaking point. I came upon these words from you when I came home, and I will muster up the courage to ask for more help. Thank You.
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