Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to my blog. I am glad that you are here.

I am a mom who has experienced Postpartum Depression/Postpartum Mood Disorder/Perinatal Mental Illness. I now advocate for awareness of, support, and stigma removal.

I entitled my blog "It Takes A Village" in reference to the African proverb that is so commonly known. I feel very strongly that we as a society have set very high standards and expectations of new mothers to take care of their children on their own, without support or help after the first week or so.

I think we have it backwards: New Mom's need respite and support whether they are well or not. We need support and encouragement, and someone to relieve us so that we can get some sleep and time to rejuvienate.


My aim with this blog is to bring awareness to the world, and support to other Moms (and Dads) that are going through this experience. I am passionate about reducing stigma as it creates the barrier that keeps women silent and suffering. I want Moms to feel safe enough to share their story and get the support and help they need to get better.


I encourage you, if you believe you may be experiencing more than the "baby blues" to seek out help. You will not be judged or criticized. The goal of all list here on this blog are to support you and help you heal so that you may live the life you dreamed of with your child.


This blog is a work in progress, please check in often to see more updates and new information!


Friday, August 12, 2011

Moving Forward on the Stepping Stones of Memory

Well, my son is 19 months old now. It is August and fall is just a blink in time away. I would say that the last six months have been a journey through mud; heavy and slow. I thought that by summer I would be there. Where? "There", you know, the ideal spot of recovery: refreshed every morning, exercising daily, brain sharp and alert, feeling at least 90% good. Ha! Boy, did the reality of that not being the facts turn my upside down into a frown!

Where I wanted to be and where I am is a gap like that of a raging river. OK, maybe not that extreme, but some days it feels like it!

It is not all doom and gloom though. The last three weeks have been lighter. I began exercising...for real this time. I made SPACE in my house just for ME, and I am making space in my life just for ME. This has been a huge relief. I didn't realize how stressed out I was not having privacy and space away from the boys. (Husband, son and teen-aged nephew).

My thinking brain has turned on and has sharpened up. My energy has increased, and I am sleeping better. Sleep is a HUGE factor in my health. I need healthy sleep patterns or my vitality and emotional state drops like an anvil. I have begun to take calcium/magnesium before bed. It definitely works for me. I also take B's for stress.

I am practicing discipline diligently because even though my brain is fuzzy sometimes, I haven't forgotten the dark days and my gratitude for NOW and how far I have come glows warmly in my heart.

Take care of your physical health my friends.

hugs,

Lisa