No. 5- Have you seen it?

Hi Pals! Happy Hump Day!

​Have you ever seen the Christmas movie "The Santa Claus" with Tim Allen?  (Cute flick if you haven't).  So random I know... but this morning a quote from the movie came to mind and I thought of the connection it could have with PostPartum depression and anxiety.

Charlie (young boy): "Have you ever seen a million dollars?"
Neil: "No."
Charlie (young boy): "Just because you haven't seen it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Ah! How true.  Just because you don't have a friend or a family member or even you yourself,  that's ever struggled from postpartum depression and anxiety or even those two factors alone- doesn't mean it doesn't exist.  The stigma on mental health makes it difficult  for someone  who hasn't seen it first hand, to comfortably admit that it's even out there.  Maybe it's because you've had this idea of that person in your head that you never want to associate something *negative* with or maybe you just don't have the words.  Maybe you've offered support or said "I cant even imagine, but you'll get through this" but unless you've felt that heaviness or seen it - you may not wholeheartedly understand.  I guess i'm trying to say THAT'S OKAY!! But also remember that this chapter in someone's life may be very valid.  And with this movie line in mind... it doesn't mean that anxiety and depression (postpartum or not) doesn't exist for so many people.  Let's break that stigma! 

I've mentioned this before... we live in such a society where the stigma says it's almost unacceptable to look "bad"  physically or mentally without feeling like someone (or everyone) is judging you.  Like, is it even acceptable to go to the gym without a coordinated gym outfit... or take a quarantine selfie if you're not in cute lounge-wear *(lol who has time for that)?  Your mind may not feel that way.  Those thoughts may not even cross your mind- but for some people- those ideas exist.  The idea of not being "enough." I think we are more uncomfortable accepting someone elses honesty than we are our own sometimes.  It makes us feel like we cant approach them or we're not even sure how to, once they've shown such an authentic version of themselves.  I"m here to tell you (from absolutely no expert experience whatsoever- except living my own life) that your own authenticity (whatever that is for you)  is more important than every person around you accepting it.  (I guess something I've learned in quarantine lol)

Anyway- just getting thoughts out on *paper*.  I"ve been working on a few projects in my "new office" (the kitchen table, since the dining room table - my old office- is now covered with the 1500 pieces of puzzle).  I"m excited about a few things that are going to come to fruition in the next couple weeks and some progress that the Love Letter Co. has made.  (insert smiling emoji) 

PS. To everyone that's trying to get work done, be a parent and a teacher all at the same time.  Give yourself some grace.. you're doing an amazing job.  Pause, read some quarantine memes and get back to it! 

Talk to you soon! 

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