Becoming a mother was the most profound and life-changing experience of my life. But the transition into motherhood was not just about holding my baby, feeding him, and bonding with him—it was about navigating a whirlwind of emotions that took me by surprise.

In those first few weeks after childbirth, I was advised to rest. My body needed to heal, especially the stitches, and I was told that my recovery should be my priority. And yet, despite resting, despite having minimal physical tasks, I felt more exhausted than I ever thought possible.

It wasn’t physical fatigue that overwhelmed me. It was something deeper, something harder to put into words. The emotional turmoil that came with becoming a mother felt all-consuming. The life I once knew had been completely flipped upside down, and the changes were so rapid, so immense, that it was hard to keep up.

The pain I was feeling wasn’t something anyone could see. There were no visible symptoms, no signs of physical distress that others could recognize. But inside, it felt like my entire being was in turmoil. As the days passed, I began to question myself and the very decision to become a mom. Was this what it was supposed to feel like? Why wasn’t I bursting with joy like I’d heard so many others talk about?

My phone rang regularly with calls from well-meaning family and friends, all checking in to see how my stitches were healing, how the baby was doing, and whether I was feeling better. But no matter how much I answered, “I’m fine,” nothing seemed to stop the overwhelming rush of emotions I was experiencing. I would listen to others share stories about how they felt immediately fulfilled and happy in the postpartum phase, and it only made my struggles feel worse. I began to wonder if something was deeply wrong with me.

The self-doubt took root. I distanced myself from my own baby, at times feeling overwhelmed by his sweetness, only for my mind to quickly spiral into darker, unwelcoming thoughts. I was not the mother I imagined I would be. The stress only intensified as I scrolled through social media, seeing other mothers glowing with postpartum joy, their bodies slimmed down, their homes picture-perfect. Meanwhile, I was struggling with my changing body, the mess in my home, and the constant stream of negative thoughts.

It all also started affecting my relationship with my partner. Despite his unwavering support, I found myself snapping at him. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but I felt so disconnected from myself that I couldn’t seem to show the appreciation I wanted to. The isolation felt unbearable.

It wasn’t until I finally decided to seek professional help that I began to understand what was going on. I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression (PPD). This was a term I had read about but never thought would apply to me. I thought I should be fine, that it was “normal” to feel a little off after such a big life change. But once I opened up to a therapist, things started to shift. Slowly but surely, I began untangling the knots of self-doubt, shame, and trauma that had built up inside me. Day by day, I started to heal.

To all the moms and dads out there navigating the overwhelming transition into parenthood—please know this: It gets better. The journey may not be easy, and some days may feel impossibly heavy, but if you take it one moment at a time, and seek help when you need it, healing will come. You are not alone in your struggles. It might not always feel like it, but there’s a community out there waiting to share the load and make it easier for you to bear.

Be kind to yourself. Motherhood is a beautiful, complex journey, but it’s okay not to have it all together. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. You’re doing better than you think.