11/11/2020
I don’t really open up about this, but the stigma surrounding mental health needs to be broken down, and while I’m an advocate for body positivity, I also need to remind myself how important physical health is so helpful to my mental health.
Some days are better than others but what I don’t let people see is the struggle I have day to day, the crawling into bed after work, the struggle to physically do any work around the house because the simplest of tasks seems so overwhelming, the stewing over past situations and conversations, should I have done this? Should I have said that? What will people say about me? The hiding in other rooms from my kids trying not to cry so hard they can hear me.
Not long after the birth of my second son, I noticed how I was feeling probably wasn’t “normal” so off I went to the drs, who told me I was likely suffering post natal depression. So I was put on antidepressants and sent on my way. Looking back, I think I have always suffered from depression and anxiety, when I was growing up I used to just shut myself off and watch a lot of tv and movies, I used to cancel plans because the thought of going anywhere just seemed too hard.
While I’m still on medication 4 years down the line, it gets me through the day, but it really is a blanket, all of the issues are still present. Recently I made a commitment to myself with the help of my wonderfully supportive husband that I needed to make time for me, and get back into getting fit. It’s not going to be or is easy, but the benefits I get from it are great.
I know that this will resonate with so many and I hope that putting my story out there, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health