Yvette
I prioritised being the best mum and wife, forgetting to check in with myself.
When I had my kids it was the most joyous time of my life.
I had children later in life — Ava was born two days before my 38th birthday, Stella at 40, and then our son Marlon completed our little family. Three gorgeous healthy children, a loving husband, a beautiful home — life was perfect. Well, it should have been.
Having three little ones under five meant there wasn't much time for rest. I prioritised being the best mum and wife, forgetting to check in with myself. What started with hints of tiredness and fatigue turned into days of wandering around with a sense of foreboding I couldn't shake. I couldn't focus, couldn't make decisions, was edgy, confused, overwhelmed and distant with my husband. Like a house of cards in a windstorm, I fell apart.
I was hospitalised. It took years to shift that dark cloud, and the effects on my family sadden me beyond words. Seek help sooner rather than later — there is a way through and professionals who can help.