My Life Changed in Three Years: A Journey Through Motherhood, Identity, and Healing
Three years ago, I was someone else. I was a woman with a plan, a career path, a fitness goal, and weekend brunches. I thought I knew who I was—until motherhood, mental breakdowns, love, and loss unravelled everything I thought I understood about life.
Year One: The Baby, the Breakdown, and the Rebirth
When my baby arrived, so did the cracks. Postpartum depression wasn’t just a phrase—it was my everyday reality. I didn’t glow, I gasped. The sleepless nights weren’t just exhausting—they broke me down. I loved my child, but I didn’t love who I was becoming: invisible, emotional, dependent.
I remember hiding in the bathroom, crying quietly, Googling “Why do I feel so alone after having a baby?” My partner didn’t get it. My friends were silent. And yet, every day, I got up and kept going. That was Year One—raw, relentless, and surprisingly beautiful.
Year Two: Resentment, Rage, and Reconnection
I began to feel anger. At my partner. At society. At this narrative that women should “bounce back” after childbirth. My career was on pause. My body didn’t feel mine. My brain was fogged with unpaid labour and invisible work.
Therapy helped. So did long walks alone and saying “no” more often. I started writing. Journaling became my rebellion. My voice slowly returned.
Year Three: Healing, Boundaries, and Becoming
By the third year, I had rebuilt parts of myself I never knew existed. I made peace with my body. I redefined success. I started working again—on my terms. I learned to ask for help without guilt and to set boundaries without apology.
Most importantly, I found joy. Not the Instagram-perfect kind, but the quiet kind: baby giggles at 6am, a hot cup of coffee, a peaceful walk with no agenda.
What I’ve Learned in These Three Years
- You can love your child and still grieve your old life
- Your worth isn't tied to productivity or appearance
- Healing isn't linear—but it's always possible
- You’re not weak for needing support—you’re human
- Your story matters, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else's
Internal Reads That Echo This Journey
FAQs
Q: Did you ever feel like giving up?
A: Yes. Many times. But I learned that feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re feeling—deeply.
Q: How did you know it was time to seek help?
A: When I stopped recognising myself in the mirror and dreaded each day. Therapy was a turning point.
Q: Are you still healing?
A: Absolutely. Healing is daily work. But I now have the tools, the support, and the belief that I can keep growing.
Final Word
If you're in the messy middle of motherhood or healing, know this: your story isn’t over. Three years changed my life—but they didn’t end it. They reshaped it into something raw, real, and mine. And that’s enough.