Day 3 - How Did I Even End Up Here?

It's no secret that I suffered PND with my first-born. I was feeling quite proud to have become a second-time mum and seemingly kept my mental health intact. Or did I?

Recently things have been creeping back into my life that started to trigger off some warning lights.
* Teary at the drop of a hat
* Going from calm to angry in 3.0 seconds flat
* Feeling blah a lot of the time
* Overly emotional
* Saying yes to everyone and everything else and leaving me til last
* Generally feeling completely out of whack

Knowing what I know and having travelled the road I've travelled, these are cues that things are not the way that they need to be for me to function properly in my day-to-day life. Now that's a scary thing to admit.

Truth be told, it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, taking care of one's mental health is one of the most imperative parts of looking after yourself. Knowing when things aren't right and knowing when to ask for help is daunting, yet important to put steps into place to get life back on track to being some form of  "normalacy" (whatever that may be for you).

These feelings have prompted me to start "All About Me August". During the month I am makingsure to take care of myself first so that I am more able to give to those who need me. Yes it's a challenge, but I am confident that by the end of the month a new habit of self-care will have been formed.

I would encourage you to take stock of where you're at at the moment. How is your mental health really? If you're feeling out of whack and things just aren't right, it doesn't hurt to have a chat with your GP. Beyond Blue have some great resources on their website. And remember, Lifeline is a phone call away if you need to chat with someone.

Being PND Aware

Dear Fellow Mums

You may or may not be aware that this week is Post Natal Depression Awareness Week. You may have just cringed as you read that, and that's ok. This post is not for everyone.

Right now you may feel like you're sitting on the bones of your backside in the deepest darkest blackest place you've ever known,  or you are reduced to tears for no good reason, you may feel or you are constantly feeling guilty, worthless and incapable of going on, you may feel at a loss of what to do, who to turn to. I know these feelings well, because I have been there - in the cupboard, shrouded in darkness, sad, lonely and lost. Feeling like I was the only one. But I wasn't.

As a Mum who has travelled the rocky and bumpy path of PND and come through the other side, I feel it's my duty of care to reach out and help those who may be struggling with being a new Mum or just being a Mum in general.

If you are feeling in any way depressed, overwhelmed or simply not coping with motherhood, please reach out for help. (At the end of the post I will share with you some fantastic organisations that exist that can help you).

Reaching out and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your family relies on you more than you will ever know. If you are not functioning well, neither does your family. Mothers are the glue that hold families together.

Talking about how you are feeling is so important. Getting out of your head and putting your feelings into words can help so much.

Please know that no matter how dark and heavy you may feel, it can get better and it will get better. You must be the person to make this decision. If you can't make the decision for you, make it for your family, for your children, for their future. As my GP told me "a happy, healthy Mum makes a happy, healthy family".

Your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health. If you are physically unwell, chances are you would do something about it. Why should your mental health be any different?

It's okay to feel afraid, scared and frightened of what may lay before you. Reach out. Talk to someone you trust (a friend, your GP, a counsellor, Life Coach).

What's not okay is to try to battle through alone, hoping these feelings will just go away, because they don't and they won't. So as I promised earlier, here are the names and links to some wonderful organisations doing fabulous work with PND & Perintal Mental Health ( Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness, PANDA, Smiling Mind, COPE, Beyond Blue, Lifeline) Connect with them, utilise their resources.

From one Mother to another, I send you love, strength and courage. I send you peace for your heart. I send you hope for a brighter tomorrow. I send you light for the long dark tunnel.

Love always

Shanelle