10/15/2026
At 6 weeks postpartum,
I was "cleared."
I was not okay.
I said:
"I'm good. Just tired."
I meant:
I can do everything I need to do. That does not mean I'm okay.
I said:
"I'm sleeping when I can."
I meant:
The baby sleeps. My brain doesn't.
I said:
"Feeding is going okay."
I meant:
Every feed feels like another test of whether I'm doing this right.
I said:
"My boyfriend is really helpful."
I meant:
He is. And I still feel like everything lives in my head.
I said:
"No, I don't think I'm depressed."
I meant:
I'm getting dressed.
I'm taking care of the baby.
I'm answering texts.
I just don't feel like myself.
How bad am I allowed to feel before this counts?
I said:
"Everything is okay."
I meant:
The baby is okay.
I'm not sure anyone has really asked if I am.
Maybe I didn't need someone to ask:
"Are you depressed?"
Maybe I needed someone to ask:
"Do you feel like yourself?"
What did you say was "fine" because you didn't know how to explain what was actually happening?
Tell me!!
I have a feeling another mom is going to read it and think: me too.