Anxiety
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Wrestle With Postpartum
In 2018, my husband and I found out we were pregnant! We were ecstatic! It was a dream of mine my whole life to be a mom, and it was finally happening! I spend the next eight months learning everything I could to be the most prepared I could be. I knew all the stages of pregnancy; I was prepared for labor; I researched breastfeeding; I even knew what foods my baby should and shouldn’t have up to a year old! I was debatably the most informed and prepared mom in the entire world. In March of 2019, we welcomed our precious daughter into the world. It was a dream. She…
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Postpartum Depression
One of the first aspirations I can remember having is wanting to be a Mom. At a young age, I watched The Sound of Music and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and thought, “I want seven kids too! It looks like so much fun because everyone just dances and sings all the time!” Even as I grew up and reality set in that everyday life wasn’t a musical, I still wanted a large family. I gave up a spot on the Jr High basketball team for a twice-a-week babysitting job so I could grow my mothering skills, and in my small-town graduation ceremony where we made predictions about what we…
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Depression and Anxiety
One of my most difficult (and ongoing) wrestles has been with anxiety and depression. My sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with general anxiety and depression disorders and was eventually put on medication to help me keep my head above the water. For over two years, I fought frequent suicidal thoughts and cut myself just to feel anything. I had occasional panic attacks that left me wanting to die. My mantra was “fake it ‘til you make it,” and boy, did I fake it! I spent time doing everything that I could participate in: drama, choir, band, volleyball, student councils, church activities and callings, etc…I had great grades…