Trudging on the road to postpartum depression recovery can often feel very lonely. Even, if you are not alone in the physical sense. To me it’s like being in the middle of a room stuffed to the ceiling with all the people you care about in your life, who are all willing to shield you and protect you with their love. You’re yelling at the top of your lungs what you need, how you feel, what they can do to help but the messaged gets skewed over the ruckus in the room.
So you repeat and repeat yet no one can make out what you’re trying to say.
They don’t understand you.
So you give up trying to repeat what you just said.
Or you’re afraid to say anything at all.
And so you retreat quietly into a corner.
This is what I meant by feeling alone.
I believe that it is vital that women with PPD connect with other moms who have or experienced PPD. Our stories may vary from each individual but the depth of our pain remains the same.
We get each other.
Lauren Hale, author of My Postpartum Voice, came up with a wonderful safe place for women with PPD to support one another. Every Monday on Twitter using the hash tag #PPDChat, woman from all over the globe participate in a live chat.
Together we wipe tears.
Together we encourage.
Together we offer hope.
Together we laugh.
Together we understand.
And we walk this path…
Together.
These incredible women have helped lift me back up to my feet more times than I can count and I will be forever grateful that they were the ears that listened to my cries of help.
We woman are so much stronger when we do things together.
Today, I honour Lauren Hale and the women of #PPDChat.
You rock my face off and I love you all so much.
Want to honour a special woman for Mother’s Day? How about buying something beautiful and unique for her while supporting a nation back on their feet? Through Heart Of Haiti, together we can help make a difference.
Heart of Haiti is a collection of one-of-a-kind art made from recycled materials made by Haitian artists.
They are sold at Macy’s to help provide opportunities for struggling Haitian artists to earn life-saving income. Clever Girls and Heart of Haiti is offering you a special discount code for 15% off when you purchase a gift of Heart of Haiti or Rwanda Path to Peace products between May 3-8.
Just shop Macy’s’ Shop for a Better World/Heart of Haiti Collection, and use the code CLEVERGIRLS at check out to receive your discount
I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.
yes we do need to band together, and what a great organization to support women
thank you for posting about both!
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Awesome art. Thanks for sharing this link.
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You said this perfectly.
Everyone is in the room to support me but they’re all yelling different things and interrupting me so I stop talking.
PPDChat is a huge help.
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Lauren is an amazing woman. #PPDchat is one of the few things I credit with my healing. The others were therapy and the 30-Day Live a Better Life challenge (because it led me to start blogging). Until I discovered the chat, I felt so alone in my struggle. Nobody understood how I was feeling.
Although I feel 99% recovered from my PPD/PPA now, I can’t stop chatting on Mondays and don’t plan on it anytime soon. I feel so connected to you ladies, like I know you guys in real life. You’re all so amazing and I hope for each one of you to overcome your pain and wish I could help.
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oh Kim. I love that you chose Lauren for this post. She is truly deserving of being honored!
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Very cool post! Thank you for sharing it with us, I think it’s very awesome to read about people who share their PPD.
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Thank goodness for the social media and its ability to draw people together for support & inspiration.
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LOVING the Heart of Haiti concept. Thank you for the hook-up. Here’s hoping you enjoy a little sunshine this weekend!
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Ditto on all of that. We’re an army and we’re fighting and will win this battle.
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I wish I’d had resources like #PPD chat when I was suffering. I’m so glad social media can be used to support/share.
Love the art. So colorful.
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Thank you for supporting the women and artisans with Heart of Haiti.I work at Everywhere and we’re a member of the team that helps promote Macy’s Heart of Haiti.
@heartofhaiti http://www.facebook.com/heartofhaiti
Marsha Whitehead
@marshawhitehead
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[...] Kimberly at All Work & No Play Makes Mommy Go Something Somethingon Lauren Hale and how the women of #PPDchat are so supportive of each other [...]