The Story that Still Chokes Me Up Unexpectedly

This morning I had a phone interview with a journalist from a magazine that is doing a feature on PND.

It doesn't matter how many times I share my story, there are still days when it gets me. Some days I get taken right back to that place and those feelings and I get a bit choked up. While I realise just how far I have come since those dark days, at times there is still an element of guilt that comes into play.

I know cannot undo what has been done. I can simply use my experience to share with others to help them feel less alone and to realise that PND is more "normal" than what we're led to believe. If through the process of me sharing helps just one other person, then that is enough.

Having this reaction also makes me realise how passionate I am about supporting mums and dads on this rocky and unfamiliar road of parenthoodand how important it is that we learn to put our emotional health and wellbeing at the forefront.

It's time for it to be okay for us to share how we are really feeling on the inside. It's time to take away the mask we've been wearing for society's sake, because that's all just a facade any way.

Being a parent is a tough gig, it's unlike anything we've experienced before, but it shouldn't have to be a journey we walk alone.

I will continue to share my story, for it's bigger than me. It no longer defines who I am. It's a part of the tapestry of life I continue to weave.

Big love to you! heart emoticon

If you are not feeling great about things at the moment, then I encourage you to reach out and talk to someone. And if someone reaches out to share how they're feeling with you, please don't try to fix it, just listen with the intent to hear what they are saying. This is the best thing you can do 

Seven Year Switch

I have a confession to make ... I totally got sucked into watching "Seven Year Switch". Last night was the last episode of the experiment where the couples decided if they were going to stay together or to split.

I sat watching it like one would watch an impending train crash, unable to look away. I couldn't believe that at the end of it all, the amount of blame that was being placed on the other partner (in most of the relationship scenarios) nor the conditions that were surrounding them staying together.

When did love become a bargaining tool?
When did it become "If you do this, the way I like it, the way I think is right, then I will love you?"
When did love become so conditional?

No one was taking any responsibility for themselves and their behaviour. It was still such a blame game. I'm not quite sure what they learned during the course of the experiment or perhaps it's just what the producer chose to show us as a reflection of the experiment - who knows.

Some things I have learned about love and relationships (and am continuing to learn, as it's a process and a journey, not a start/finish point and am by no means an expert in this area)

* Love starts, happens and finishes with you
* The quality of the relationship you have with yourself will determine the quality of all other relationships in your life
* Real Love is limitless and unconditional
* You cannot rely on someone else to fulfill a need within you that you are not prepared to work on and mend for yourself first
* That which you see in your partner (positive and negative attributes) are a direct reflection of what you are able to see within yourself. So if you are constantly whinging and complaining about your partner, perhaps it's time to take a closer look in the mirror.
* Quality communication is fundamental in all relationships
* Nothing has meaning except for the meaning which we choose to give it

Big love to you all, wherever you are and whatever you are doing today heart emoticonheart emoticon

Take My Hand ...

A little poem popped into my head and wanted to be written and shared. xx

Take my hand awhile, place it in yours.

Let me know I am safe.

Allow me to feel your warmth.

Stay close by my side, even when I push you away.

Clear the path for me to walk.

Allow me to follow my heart and to explore.

May you give me comfort in my time of need.

While gently reminding me it's really all inside of me.

Show me glimpses of what I can be.

Spark my inspiration and light my creative fire.

Let me know that I am really enough.

And that I can make it through

All of life's "big" stuff.