Dear fellow moms,
As I sit down to write this, I want to start by saying something that might seem contradictory: I know you. Not in the sense of knowing your name, your story, or the intricacies of your life, but in the deeper way of understanding the weight you carry on your shoulders, the silent battles you fight every day, and the ache in your heart that you often bury beneath a facade of strength.
I am one of you. A mom, a wife, a corporate warrior. And let me tell you, the struggle is real. It's not just about juggling the demands of work and family, but it's also about grappling with our own sense of identity, worth, and purpose.
For years, I've worn multiple hats - the breadwinner, the caregiver, the problem-solver. But somewhere along the line, I lost sight of who I am. Pregnancy losses, traumatic experiences in the corporate world, the fear of losing a child to a pandemic - they've all left scars that run deep, scars I've tried to ignore, hoping they would fade away with time.
But they haven't. Instead, they've festered beneath the surface, manifesting as high-functioning depression, loneliness, and a relentless sense of shame. I've convinced myself that my worth lies in serving others, in sacrificing my own well-being for the sake of those around me. But in doing so, I've neglected the most important person of all - myself.
I've been hesitant to seek help, believing that I should be able to handle it all on my own. But the truth is, I can't. None of us can. We're not meant to bear our burdens in silence, to suffer alone in the dark corners of our minds. We need community, connection, and compassion - the kind that goes beyond the superficiality of social media, the kind that reaches out a hand and says, "I see you. I hear you. You're not alone."
And so, I'm writing this to remind you - and myself - that it's okay to not be okay. It's okay to ask for help, to seek therapy, to take the time and space you need to heal. It's okay to acknowledge the pain, the grief, the fear, and to let yourself feel it, even if it's overwhelming at times.
Because here's the thing: you are not defined by your struggles. You are not less worthy because you're hurting. You are strong, resilient, and capable of rewriting your story, of reclaiming your identity, of finding joy and fulfillment in the midst of chaos.
But it starts with acknowledging the truth - that you matter, that your well-being matters, and that you deserve to prioritize yourself, just as much as you prioritize others. It's not selfishness; it's self-preservation. And it's the most important gift you can give yourself and those you love.
So, to all the moms out there who are silently struggling, I want you to know that I see you. I hear you. And I'm here for you. Let's walk this journey together, hand in hand, heart to heart, reminding each other that we are never alone.
With love and solidarity, A fellow mom on the journey to reclaim herself
💗
Amirah
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