"#Dear1in5,
You have not failed as a mother. Or as a wife. You have no failed as a sister or a teacher or a woman on this earth. You have not failed because you asked for help. Or because you are now on medication. You have not failed because you just needed a few days away by yourself. You have not failed because you suffered from postpartum depression or anxiety or any mental illness that has surrounded you throughout your life. You have not failed because you got frustrated and raised your voice. Or because you hid in the closet crying as little hands banged on the door.
You. Have. Not. Failed.
The days and hours and minutes might feel hard. They might feel lonely. Your head might get clouded with endless thoughts filled with shame and sadness. But you have not failed. Your heart might feel heavy and the confusion about why you feel this way might be the scariest feeling you have ever felt. But you have not failed.
Mama, #iam1in5, too. But we have not failed because we are not defined by our diagnosis. We are not defined by our past. We are not defined by our most vulnerable moments or our difficult experiences through life. We have not failed because we are still here. Living and breathing and full of strength, worth and promise. Today might have been hard, mama, but you did not fail. Because you are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You are braver than you'd like to admit. You will get through this, mama. You were never a failure."
