Last month was rough. Aside from our family Disney trip (which really was a highlight), I just . . . struggled. I have mentioned on previous posts that I have realized that I am very very susceptible to mood swings that occur with hormonal shifts. This month things were worse than usual, for any number of reasons. Some factors may include:
Yeah. I have spent the past week just sort of drifting, feeling hopeless about any number of things, numbing my feelings with distractions, and wallowing in self-loathing. The last time I can recall feeling this unhappy was in my more desperate portion of TTC (approx. 2011), before becoming pregnant with A. I really regret never reaching out for support at that time, and I have had 6 years to grow up since then. So I made my first ever therapist appointment. Why am I admitting this online? Because a) I don’t believe there should be stigma attached to needing some mental health support and b) I have come to realize how incredibly common this need is. So, I might as well just be open about it.
In addition to this proactive step, I also deleted Instagram from my phone (not planning for this to be forever, just a month cleanse or so) and set a goal of lowering email checks to twice daily for now. The constant inputs and expectation of reactivity is really starting to wear on me. There are certainly interruptions in my life I can’t control, but these electronic ones are distractions that I do have the ability to reign in. I am hoping to achieve greater peace in my days, and eliminate the constant urges to check/scroll/zone.
Instead on my breaks I will write, read, walk, talk to someone, draw, journal, basically do anything other than zone out on my phone while hating myself for doing so.
I’m sorry if this seems down. I am sad but still functional: parenting, going to work, putting on a reasonably happy façade, and getting essential tasks done. I honestly think I will come out of things in a little while. But I am definitely at a dip from my usual mood setpoint, which is luckily fairly high most of the time, and I’d rather address it now than suffer negative consequences. I genuinely look forward to every day when I am myself. Hopefully I can get back there soon.
9 Comments
I went to therapy last winter for the first time ever. I only went for 3 or 4 sessions, once a month, but found it supremely helpful. As an Upholder, I really took many of the suggestions to heart and attacked it almost like homework, and I think you will too. Since then I’ve found that I just need to go through my old notes (because Of Course I took notes at my therapy sessions) when I need to re-set my mood and behavior. Good luck, I hope you found a good counselor / sounding board!
Could C be giving up a nap? That was one of my kid’s (many) sleep issues with middle-of-night waking.
I’m sorry it’s rough right now but glad you have some good strategies in place.
Thank you for being upfront about therapy. It’s not a bad thing. I went when my parents suddenly divorced when I was 21. I sometimes feel I need to do that again. We just moved 5 months to a new city across the country and I’m staying home with our 2 boys (4 and 9 months). It’s lonely and plus it’s difficult since my husband travels a ton and the winter had been bad and makes it harder to get out and do things.
Only suggesting this as I think you might be open to this: Acupuncture is wonderful for resolving women’s health issues, particularly tied to cycles. Give it a shot!
Just want to say thank you.
I will prescribe a giant expensive Lego set that takes you at least 6 hours to build (recommend: Ninjago anything). Carthartic and a great sense of accomplishment. (Just don’t be there when it inevitably gets dismantled) 🙂
p.s. there must be some spring fever/moon phase that is interrupting all sleep; we have it too!
Hi, I am guessing the mood swings are more related to hormones (PMS). I am going through that too. Will hormone therapy work better? Let us know if therapy helps. Good luck.
I love your honesty. I have been struggling the last 1.5 years and I am considering therapy too, just to speak my thoughts out loud and understand what I need to do. Life is not easy. Take care!
Good!