World Maternal Mental Health Day 2022

These kids are my life, my joy, my pride and my happiness.

These kids are also my challenge, my worry, my stress and my heartache.

I always say that having kids is simultaneously the best and worst thing I've ever done to myself. I mean it.I wouldn't change it for one minute, but I'd be lying if I said that my mental health hasn't worsened since I became a mum.

I'm anxious. I worry about the future and I despise things that are out of my control. Now I have the two most precious things in the world and ultimately their health and happiness is (at least in part) out of my control. It's the most difficult thing I've had to face: I can only protect them from so much.

I've discovered the importance of having a very strong support network (an out-of-this-world partner, incredible parents, fantastic friends). I've discovered the fundamental need to talk things through and be honest about it all, without shame or fear of judgement where possible, because it's the only way to realise that you're not alone in any of it.

Being a mum makes you the most vulnerable you've ever been, and while that is an abject fear that comes with that, there is also profound beauty.