You’re Not Alone: Finding Yourself in Shared Stories of Struggle of the Motherhood Journey
There’s something powerful about hearing your own story in someone else’s voice.
It doesn’t take the pain away.
But it reminds you: You’re not broken. You’re not failing. You’re not alone.
The Hidden Side of Motherhood
During Maternal Mental Health Week, we bring awareness to the stories that are often left untold—stories of postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, grief, trauma, rage, and overwhelm.
We picture motherhood as tender and glowing. But the truth is, for 1 in 5 birthing people, the postpartum period is marked by distress.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) can show up in many ways:
Feeling constantly on edge
Panic attacks or obsessive thoughts
Deep sadness or emptiness
Rage that surprises even you
Guilt that you’re not “enjoying every moment”
A sense that something is deeply wrong
And too often, shame convinces people to stay silent.
“Why can’t I handle this?”
“I should be grateful.”
“Everyone else seems fine.”
You are not the only one thinking these thoughts.
When Grief and Trauma Enter the Room
Grief doesn’t only accompany death—it can emerge from the loss of expectations, identity, or the way you hoped things would go.
Maybe your pregnancy was complicated.
Maybe your birth was traumatic.
Maybe you had to say goodbye far too soon.
Or maybe, in becoming a parent, you’re realizing how much of your own story is still unprocessed.
Trauma can isolate us. It tells us to shut down, stay small, and just get through it.
But healing needs connection. And it starts with knowing: you are not alone.
Real Stories That Remind You You're Not Alone
If you’re not ready to share your own story, sometimes just reading someone else’s can be a powerful start.
Here are a few trusted places where people are telling the truth about motherhood, mental health, and loss. Click on the links to go directly to the resource:
🕊 Postpartum Support International – Stories of Hope: Reflections from those who have experienced postpartum depression, anxiety, and more. Their journeys remind us that recovery is possible.
💬 Postpartum Resource Center of New York – Sharing Our Stories: A compassionate space where individuals describe their PMAD experiences to reduce stigma and encourage healing.
🌱 Bumpdate Blog: Personal stories from parents navigating fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting identity transitions.
💛 Motherhood Understood: A powerful platform giving voice to real stories of postpartum mental health, helping moms feel seen and less alone.
💐 Evermore Blooms: A nonprofit that sends free bouquets to mothers grieving the loss of a baby—because even in silent sorrow, your loss deserves to be honored.
Reading these stories can be a lifeline. They offer validation, hope, and a gentle reminder that healing begins in shared humanity.
How ‘Restoring Heart and Home’ Can Support You
If you’re navigating any of the following, you don’t have to do it alone:
Postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, or rage
Pregnancy complications or traumatic birth experiences
Grief following miscarriage, stillbirth, or medically necessary terminations
Infertility, identity shifts, or pressure to “just be okay”
📍 Maryland Residents – In-Person and Virtual Therapy
📍 Pennsylvania Residents – Virtual Therapy
You deserve compassionate care that meets you where you are. I offer:
EMDR Therapy for trauma and birth experiences
Walk & Talk or Fishing Therapy for holistic, nature-based support
You are not alone. Your story matters.
If you're ready to begin healing or just want someone to sit with you in the struggle, I’d be honored to hold that space.
📞 Schedule your free 15-minute consult
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