Mindset is Everything: My Journey Through Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, and Motherhood

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past few years, it’s this: mindset is everything. And I don’t just mean it’s important—I mean it’s the very thing that has shaped my journey through some of my hardest seasons of my entire life one of them being motherhood.

After my miscarriage, I became pregnant with Owen, and while I was grateful, I was also filled with extreme anxiety. My mind convinced me that preparing for the worst was the only way to protect myself from more pain. It was as if I had already accepted the possibility of delivering an unborn child, as dark as that sounds. Looking back, I see how much my mindset shaped that pregnancy—it wasn’t just my body carrying the weight of fear, it was my mind.

By God’s grace, Owen was born healthy (even if he wasn’t the best sleeper!). But the anxiety didn’t go away. He was born in the middle of flu season, and every post about RSV or the flu made my heart race. I had no idea at the time, but I was also battling postpartum depression.

The Moment Someone Saw Me

The first time someone recognized my struggle, Owen wasn’t even a month old. We had friends over, and a woman I had never met came along with her husband had came over for “fight night” in the garage. I was in the house, picking up while Owen slept, she came in to say hi and immediately started helping me. She didn’t know me, but she saw me.

As I cleaned the kitchen, she asked how the baby was. I smiled and said, “He’s good! Just struggles with sleeping.” But then she looked me in the eyes and said, “It’s okay. You don’t have to enjoy every moment.”

I almost broke down in her arms right then.

Because in that moment, someone finally saw beyond my smile.

But I didn’t because I’m strong, independent, and I love being a mother so clearly whatever she was seeing was wrong.  Plus, I was not about to break down in front of a complete stranger I just met. I held my breath, swallowed the emotion and veered the conversation the opposite direction.

She shared her own battle with postpartum depression, how she had once been in such a dark place that she nearly took her own life.  Years later I have realized—when you’ve been through darkness and found the light, you don’t want others to suffer in silence.

Months later, a friend opened up to me about her postpartum depression, how she didn’t want to accept it at first but finally did. And that conversation was what made me face the truth: I needed help, too.

I got the help I needed, and I finally saw light again. A light that once felt so far away.

I think years later we are becoming more aware of PPD and PPA but not enough. I think the signs should be talked about between both partners and how you can help each other if those signs may arise.

One of my biggest things I think is missed is mothers who have are “veterans” or “have done it before they know it all” never get checked on. We so quickly assume that they don’t need help. Maybe you are right they don’t need help with the baby, but they sure as heck won’t turn down an encouraging message, a genuine check in to see how they are doing mentally and physically, and by gosh darn it a little snack because that newborn is hard. It’s a lot of work with not many “pat on the backs” from your little one at the time.

Check in on your mom friends new and old!

The Power of Mindset in Motherhood

The other day, my husband said to me, “I’ve never seen someone grow and work on themselves more than you.” And it hit me—this is why mindset means everything to me. I didn’t fully realize how much I’ve thrown myself into it until he had mentioned it and I could pause and reflect on that journey.

When I got pregnant with Emma, I refused to go back into the dark mindset I had before with Owen. I dove into self-growth, learning what worked for me and what didn’t. And I’m still learning—because mindset isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily commitment.

It’s hard work.

It takes discipline.

It means accepting that some days you’ll mess up, but choosing to try again anyway.

Some days, giving up feels easier. Sticking with old habits feels safer. But I remind myself: it’s not about the struggle in the moment—it’s about the outcome in the end.

Motherhood, Sleep Deprivation, and Choosing Gratitude

For the past six months, we’ve had major sleep struggles with one of our kids. At first, it was just a couple of wake-ups a night. Doable. But now? Sometimes we’re only getting 45 minutes of sleep before being woken up again.

And it’s been so hard. So fricken hard!!

Because nighttime is when I reset. It’s when I breathe, spend time with my husband , and prepare for another day of homeschooling and parenting. But when I don’t get that chance, the exhaustion hits hard.

This morning , I woke up feeling rage boiling inside me. I had gone to bed with high hopes of a good night’s sleep. I even set my alarm for 5:45 AM, ready to have quiet time before the kids woke up. But instead, I was up again and again. By morning, my body was tense, and my emotions were on the edge.

I knew I had two choices:

1️⃣ React to the frustration and let it dictate my day.

2️⃣ Respond with intention and shift my mindset.

So, I chose to respond.

Instead of sitting in my frustration, I got the kids breakfast, then turned on music while I got ready. But not just any music—I made a Grateful Morning Playlist filled with Christian songs about gratitude and God’s presence in hard moments.

And I’m not exaggerating when I say—it changed my entire day.

Because when mom’s emotions are off, everyone’s emotions are off.

And while that’s a lot of pressure, it’s also an opportunity. I can’t control sleep. I can’t control every challenge motherhood brings. But I can control my mindset.

Why Mindset in Motherhood Matters

I’m still a work in progress. But every day, I try to model a strong mindset for my kids—not just for their childhood, but for their future.

Because when they see me struggle, then try again, they learn that failure isn’t the end.

When they see me admit my mistakes, they learn that no one is perfect.

When they see me shift my focus to gratitude, they learn that joy is a choice.

This is why I choose to build a strong mindset in motherhood.

Not just for me.

For them.

Because the way I show up in my hardest moments will shape the way they show up in theirs.

And that? That makes every hard day, every sleepless night, and every mindset shift worth it.

You Are Not Alone

This page-this space-is my way of reaching out to the mom who feels like she's in the trenches. Whether you're in the newborn stage, toddler years, or just navigating the chaos of motherhood, I want you to feel seen. My heart has yearned to help other moms since I have became a mother and even more after battling my own struggles in hopes to help another mom overcome her own struggle.

I want you to know you're not alone in the exhaustion, the tears, the self-doubt. And don't for one second think I don't still have these feelings because I absolutely do!

If you're struggling, I hope my words remind you that you are not failing. You are growing. You are strong. And you are doing an incredible job!

And if no one has told you yet today-I see you, Mama.

And you are not alone.