Bringing my son into the world was one of the happiest moments of my life, but it was also unexpectedly overwhelming. I had always prided myself on being emotionally resilient, but this time, I found myself drowning in feelings of guilt, sadness, and inadequacy. I couldn’t help but question myself constantly, wondering why I want able to just “enjoy the moment” like I thought I should be.

What made it even harder was that no one expected this from me. I had always been so strong, independent and so sure of myself. When the darkness of postpartum depression crept in, it felt isolating.

My mum gently pointed out what I was going through, and it was like a light bulb turned on. She helped me find the courage to seek therapy, which was a game changer. Having someone guide me through that process gave me the tools I needed to begin to heal. But therapy wasn’t the only thing that helped. The turning point came when I found a group of mums who were navigating similar challenges with children my son’s age.

Connecting with others who understood helped me feel less alone. There was so much power in sharing experiences and knowing that we were all in this together. That sense of community made all the difference and allowed me to reconnect with the joy of motherhood. Looking back, I’m grateful for the strength I found within myself and through the support of others. Postpartum depression may have been a dark chapter, but it taught me the importance of reaching out, asking for help and finding solidarity in community.