I’ve been asked multiple times, “How did you handle postpartum depression?” Honestly, it was tricky. To start with, I never imagined I’d experience anything like postpartum depression. But I’m deeply thankful to my mother-in-law, who warned me early. 😏When she visited right after the birth of my child, she gently said, “In two to three days, you might just feel like crying. Just let it out. Don’t overthink it. Let it flow.”

At the time, her words surprised me. “Why would I just feel like crying?” 🫣I wondered. But her advice turned out to be a lifeline when I started experiencing low moments. I wouldn’t say it was severe postpartum depression, but I certainly faced extremely low times. There were days when I would sit, feeling overwhelmed, unable to do anything, asking myself, “What have I done with my life?”😥

On top of everything, I was in the middle of pursuing my PhD, and suddenly I felt lost, unable to see any future or hope. But during those challenging moments, I found strength in simple things.

My husband was incredibly supportive. I realized early on that going out for fresh air helped immensely. I discovered that my child slept wonderfully in the stroller during walks, so I made it a routine to walk outside for at least an hour each day. This simple habit became my anchor.🤗

I also joined body recovery classes, which turned out to be more than just physical recovery—they helped me connect with other mothers. Meeting first-time moms, experienced moms, hearing their stories, and sharing mine showed me clearly: I’m not alone.🥰 We formed WhatsApp groups and planned meetups, building a supportive community.

Thankfully, my child was born before the pandemic, so we had the chance to have face-to-face interactions.☺️ Although Corona brought its own challenges later, by the time it hit, I was already past the most difficult phase of my postpartum journey.

Today, when someone asks me how I handled postpartum depression, I confidently and humbly say it was through support, fresh air, connection, and knowing that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. Remember, you’re never alone in this journey.