Mama’s Mental Health: Why I’m Choosing to Share More

As mums, we carry so much — the to-do lists, the worries, the guilt, the “am I doing enough?” that plays on repeat in our minds. And yet, from the outside, it can look like we’ve got it all together. Smiles, routines, productivity.

But the truth is, motherhood is as much about the hard days as it is about the good ones. And I’ve learned that when I share the harder parts of my journey, something powerful happens: I connect. Other women reach out to say, me too. I realise I’m not alone. And my own mental health feels lighter for it.

That’s why I want to share more. Not because I’m not coping. Not because I’m crying out for help. But because,

sharing vulnerability creates connection — and connection is part of prevention.

Connection Through Sharing

When I’ve been brave enough to put parts of my story online, the responses have shown me just how many women are walking the same path. Women who are strong, capable, and loving — and who also feel tired, overwhelmed, or stretched thin.

Those connections matter. They remind us that we don’t have to fake being “fine” all the time. They create spaces where honesty feels safe, where we can breathe out and say, "actually, today was tough".

And yet, part of me still holds back. I worry that if I share too much, people might misunderstand and think I’m not coping. I’m learning to sit with that fear, and to remind myself that sharing, even when it feels uncomfortable, still matters.

Why Vulnerability Matters

Somewhere along the way, vulnerability got tangled up with weakness. But I don’t see it that way. To me, being vulnerable is about honesty. It’s about refusing the pressure to pretend everything is perfect.

And here’s the thing: vulnerability can mean different things. Sometimes it’s strength saying, "this is me, in this moment".
Sometimes it’s pain saying, "please, I need help".

Both matter.

Both deserve to be met with compassion.

Mama’s Mental Health

“Mama’s mental health” is still something we don’t talk about enough. The unspoken expectation is that mums keep going, keep holding everything together, keep smiling. But inside, many of us are carrying far more than we let on.

That’s why I want to say this out loud:

being a mum is incredible, but it is also hard.

And talking about that doesn’t make us less strong. It makes us real. It makes us human.

For me, sharing my own ups and downs has lifted some of the weight, and it’s also become an incentive to keep sharing. Because every time one woman opens up, it makes it easier for another to do the same. And that ripple of honesty can be the difference between feeling isolated and feeling seen.

Moving Forward Together

So maybe the shift we need is simple:

• To normalise vulnerability as part of being human.
• To support each other with empathy, whether someone is sharing from a place of strength or reaching out from a place of struggle.

I’m still finding the balance myself, but this much I know: the act of sharing matters. For connection. For prevention.

And if you’re reading this and you feel like you’re not coping, please know this: you are not alone. Reach out to a friend, to someone you trust, or to a professional who can help. Speaking up is not a burden. It’s a step toward support.

Because the truth is this: sometimes vulnerability is a cry for help, sometimes it isn’t — but sharing it matters either way.

Stay Sound,
Sarah x

Women's Aid - ‭1800 34 19 00‬ (Ireland). In an emergency, call 999 or 112.
US: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14.
Support varies by country — check local services.