Depression Doesn’t Care If You’re Living Your Dream Life

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be living this life — two beautiful children, a job I love, time spent outdoors, running a small business, and helping other mums feel confident in their skin — I’d have said, that sounds perfect.

And in many ways, it is.

But what I’ve learned this year is that even when things look wonderful on the outside, your mind doesn’t always get the memo.

🧠 When Everything Feels Heavy — Even When You’re Grateful

In May, I was diagnosed with depression.

It’s something I’d brushed off for months, thinking, I just need more sleep, or once the kids are older, I’ll feel better. But that constant fog, the negative self talk and the exhaustion that isn’t fixed by rest — it doesn’t just lift on its own.

Starting SSRIs felt like admitting defeat at first. I’d built a life full of things I loved — how could I still feel like I was struggling to get through the day? But what I’ve realised since is that gratitude and mental illness can (and often do) exist side by side.

You can love your family deeply, feel proud of your work, and still find it hard to get out of bed.

💬 Finding Help — and Myself — Again

Therapy (CBT in particular) helped me untangle the guilt and learn that depression isn’t a reflection of how grateful or capable I am — it’s an illness, and it deserves support just like any other.

Those sessions gave me small, practical tools to manage the dips:

• Noticing negative thought spirals and challenging them gently.

• Building small routines that support my wellbeing, not just my to-do list.

• Saying “no” more often and not feeling guilty about it.

Right now, I’ll be honest — I’m in a rough patch again.

The fog’s crept back in, and I can feel myself heading toward burnout if I don’t pause. So I’m going back through my CBT notes and homework, revisiting the tools that helped me before, and giving myself permission to slow down.

The difference this time is that I caught it earlier.

In May, I didn’t know what was happening. This time, I’ve recognised the signs, spoken to my GP, work and my family and asked for help before it gets worse. That, in itself, feels like progress.

🌿 If You’re Feeling the Same Way…

Please know this: you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.

Motherhood can be beautiful and brutal all at once. You can adore your children and still find the relentlessness of it overwhelming. That doesn’t make you ungrateful — it makes you human.

If you’ve been putting off getting help, maybe this is your sign to take that step — whether it’s talking to your GP, trying therapy, or even just confiding in a friend. You deserve support, not shame.

💚 Final Thought

I’m learning that healing isn’t about getting “back to normal.”

It’s about finding peace in the life you already have, even if it’s a little messy, loud, and unpredictable.

So if today feels heavy, take a deep breath. You’re doing better than you think — and you’re not alone in this.