Choosing My Mental Health as a Mom: One Year Later

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Choosing my mental health as a mom wasn’t something that came easily to me. One year ago, I did something I never thought I’d do. I asked for help, and that decision changed everything. In this post, I’ll share what led me there, what the journey has looked like, and how I’m learning to prioritize my mental well-being as a mom of three.

Why I Finally Chose My Mental Health

At the time, I was working full-time, raising three kids, and trying to keep it all together. But behind the scenes? I was crying. A lot. I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in a cycle I couldn’t break. I wasn’t the mom I wanted to be. I wasn’t the wife I knew I could be. And most days, I didn’t even feel like myself.

My husband, supportive as ever, gently suggested that I look into therapy and maybe talk to someone about medication. Not because he saw me as broken, but because he wanted me to feel like me again. To see me happy. That suggestion was said with love, care, and steady support.

So I started telehealth therapy. I saw a new doctor. And eventually, I began taking medication for anxiety and depression. It didn’t solve everything. But it helped, and gave me the space to breathe again.

When Your Mind Won’t Rest: The Hidden Struggles

Living with ADHD and parenting a child with ADHD and ODD means my brain rarely rests and neither does his. I’m constantly in motion mentally and physically. Cleaning, planning, staying busy to keep up with the mental noise. I’d get headaches, feel drained, and wonder why I was irritable even on “easy” days. The truth? I was burned out in ways I didn’t want to admit.

Motherhood is hard. But I didn’t expect the level of mental and emotional exhaustion I felt. The kind that sneaks in slowly. As a military spouse, it got even more complicated. We moved so often that I stopped wanting to build deep friendships. I distanced myself more from my family to avoid drama. And I carried it all quietly because I didn’t want to burden anyone else.

Choosing my mental health as a mom meant facing these truths head-on. It meant unlearning that I had to carry it all alone. It meant realizing that I deserved support just as much as I gave it to everyone else.

A New Chapter Finding Stability

Fast forward to today, and things are changing. We’re moving again, but this time, it feels different. We’re leaving military life behind and heading to Tennessee to be closer to family. My husband is transitioning out of the service, and for the first time in years, we’re choosing stability over service.

For now, I’m back in stay-at-home mom mode, soaking up summer with the kids while we prep for the move. And while tough days still happen (they always will), I can see the progress. I can see how far I’ve come. Therapy has helped. Medication has helped. Being honest with myself has helped. And sharing my story? That helps too.

How Therapy and Medication Changed My Perspective

Therapy gave me a safe space to say out loud what I’d been bottling up for years, and medication quiets my mind a bit. Choosing my mental health as a mom wasn’t a one-time decision. It’s a choice I keep making, day after day.

Tips for Moms Choosing Their Mental Health

• Start small. Therapy, journaling, blogging, or just asking for help with a task and it all counts.
• Let go of guilt. You deserve support, rest, and joy without needing to “earn” it.
• Find your people. Whether it’s online or in person, connection makes the load lighter.
• Check in with yourself. What do you need today? Some quiet? A walk? A call with a friend?

💡 For more on navigating motherhood and mental health, read my ADHD/ODD journey post.

FAQ: Choosing My Mental Health as a Mom: One Year Later

Is it normal to feel guilty about needing help as a mom?

Yes, but you don’t have to. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure. It shows you’re caring for yourself so you can care for others.

What are small ways to support my mental health daily?

Simple habits like deep breathing, taking short breaks, enjoying coffee mindfully, or writing down one positive thing can make a difference.

How do therapy and medication work together?

Therapy helps you process and build coping skills, while medication can reduce anxiety or depression symptoms so you can focus on healing.

How can military families support mental health during transitions?

Stay connected, seek local or virtual support networks, and prioritize routines that provide stability for parents and kids alike.