It all came to a head one day at work.
I had been holding it together the best I could, smiling, getting my tasks done, convincing myself I was just tired or maybe it was PMS. But inside, I was in a constant battle. That day, I walked into the office, no music on in the car, just trying to focus on my breathing, hoping for a calm day.
The second I got in, a coworker asked me a simple question about possibly switching roles. That’s all it took. My chest got tight, my mind started spinning, and before I knew it, I was crying in a conference room. At work. Me—the one who could always “hold it together.” That moment shook me.
I realized then: I wasn’t okay. This wasn’t just stress. This wasn’t just being tired. Something deeper was happening, and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
That night, I went home and told Chris, “I think I’m not okay.” Saying it out loud was both terrifying and freeing. I scheduled a doctor’s appointment, downloaded the therapy app I had used before, and even set up a meeting with leadership at work to advocate for myself. It felt like admitting it lifted a weight off my chest, even though I knew the journey ahead would still be hard.
For the first time, I wasn’t pretending I was fine. I was choosing to seek help, I needed it. Not just for me, but for Mateo, for Chris, and for the mom I want to be.
✨ Have you ever had that moment where you realized it was time to reach out for help? What gave you the courage to finally say, “I can’t do this alone”?
