Tired. Overwhelmed. Overstimulated. Touched out.

Sound familiar?

It’s no secret that raising children is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Moms hold the weight of the world on their shoulders and it’s a wonder how we survive sometimes.

As a Mom who suffered from postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, I am all too familiar with the feeling of drowning while simultaneously having to meet a tiny human’s every need. Even as the fog of newborn-hood lifted I found myself barely making it from one minute to the next. Exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover it.

If you found your way here, I’m likely preaching to the choir so let’s skip to the good part.

I didn’t have an epiphany. I didn’t reach a breaking point (let’s be honest, every day was a new breaking point). I didn’t wake up one morning with a sudden desire for change.

I simply stopped ignoring the red flags, which were on fire at that point, telling me I needed help.

Enter therapy.

Pride, shame and hesitation be damned.

I found a wonderful therapist who specializes in postpartum. Little by little, she helped me feel happier and more like myself. We celebrated huge victories, like taking a shower and brushing my teeth, at a time when the smallest of tasks seemed impossible. She was my coach, my cheerleader, and my insurance-covered confidant.

Looking back, the hesitation I felt when considering therapy seems so silly. Shame? My boob had been out more times than I could count. Fear? I grew and birthed a literal human being. Pride? I lost count of how many strangers had seen my hoo-ha. So what was really holding me back?

It was because I did all of those things for someone else. And now, more than ever, it felt wrong to do something specifically for me. Mom guilt at its finest.

Now I realize that taking care of myself means…

My kid gets a Mom who leads dance parties instead of pity parties.

My husband gets love notes in his lunch box instead of the silent treatment.

And instead of wondering when things will get easier, I get to indulge in motherhood with joy.

The saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” rings true, though Moms do it all the time. Sometimes we have to. Little people depend on us. The thing is, though, you don’t have to do it every single day. Your cup shouldn’t always be empty. If you feel like it is, therapy can help.

Don’t wait for the right moment, a special sign, or your third mental breakdown to dive in. 

You deserve more. You deserve more than being tired, overwhelmed and overstimulated. You deserve more than just surviving. More importantly, you deserve to experience the joys of motherhood unburdened by guilt.

I am you, on the other side of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, telling you that you can and you will feel better.

Now find a therapist you like and get to work.

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About the author: Sarah Santoro is a freelance copywriter and guest blogger for Twin Lakes Counseling. As a mom herself and a passionate advocate for therapy, Sarah specializes in pregnancy and postpartum content at her business Iris and Inkwell. You can find her via her website or on Instagram for more copywriting tips and small business marketing.