It takes a village to raise a child, right? But what’s it take to raise a healthy mom? We could use a village to depend on too! Creating your personal community of moms will give you a foundation for support. Sharing stories, advice and just having a place to be vulnerable is a fulfilling necessity of motherhood. So let’s break out of the isolation and support each other, moms to moms.
It’s time to find your village.
No More Isolation
When I was struggling with my own Postpartum depression, I knew I was isolating myself. I felt guilty and ashamed–and I didn’t want to bother anyone with my “problems.” But isolation only made my pain worse. I knew I was doing it, and isolating seemed like another “problem” I needed to address, which was something I thought I’d have to address alone because I was not ready to ask for help.
Let’s look at isolation, which can come in many forms:
- Living far from town. The peace and quiet can be nice, but where we live can help us create reasons to remain isolated.
- Blaming finances. Sometimes we tell ourselves that meeting people would be so much easier if we had more money. We could afford to go out more, to meet more people traveling, to join an athletic club with people we’d get along with. Meeting people and money aren’t as related as we think.
- You’re an introvert, through and through. Even introverts benefit from connection.
- You don’t think you would get along with other moms. Have you tried?
- Your family is in a different stage than your friends’ families. Being a valuable addition to a community of others moms is going to involve accepting their differences.
- You’re a single mom. Yes, but moms are moms, and you have a lot to offer and a lot to receive.
Isolation shows itself in many forms. I know what it feels like to be in a room of people and still feel totally alone. It feels rotten. Loneliness is not something to be ashamed of, but actually something to share with people you trust.
Do Something About It
Us moms are notorious for forgetting to take care of ourselves. I say it’s definitely time to change that. Spending time outside of the mom role with friends can give you new insight, and new tools to take with you along your journey of motherhood. So tell isolation to take a hike, it’s time to find your village (and all the value and support that socializing with other moms will bring).
Need help finding a community? Join our group session “Redefining Mom.”