Postpartum Depression: 7 Inspiring Truths Every Mom Deserves to Know

Postpartum depression can feel like you’re falling into a fog while everyone around you expects fireworks.

It hits early. Or late. Sometimes silently. But it hits hard.

And if you’re reading this, clutching your cup of chai and wondering why motherhood feels so lonely, please breathe. You are not alone.

Let’s talk openly about postpartum depression and walk through 7 healing truths every mom deserves to hear.

1. Postpartum depression is common, not shameful

I want to say this loud, with all the gentleness I can gather: if you are feeling low after your baby’s birth, it’s not your fault.

Postpartum depression is not rare. It’s not unusual. It’s not something only “weak women” experience. It is common. And it’s not shameful.

A new mom I worked with had everything people say you need to be happy: a doting husband, a healthy baby, even a mother-in-law who cooked all her meals. And yet, she sat in front of me with eyes that had forgotten how to sparkle.

“Sab kuch toh hai, phir bhi lagta hai jaise main khud se kho gayi hoon,” she whispered, her voice cracking. She wasn’t dramatic. She wasn’t ungrateful. She was drowning silently in the sea of expectations.

Every morning, she woke up hoping today would feel better. But the ache was still there. The fog. The exhaustion. The guilt. She smiled in family pictures because she had to, but her inner world was collapsing like a building without beams.

And this is what people don’t understand. That postpartum depression doesn’t always look like crying non-stop. Sometimes it looks like silence. Sometimes it looks like going through the motions, feeding your baby, thanking visitors, and inside thinking, “Why do I feel nothing?”

This isn’t drama. This is distress. This isn’t weakness. This is your body and heart trying to process a seismic shift.

If you’ve felt this too, please hear me. You are not broken. You are not failing at motherhood. You are experiencing a very human, very real response to an immense change.

Let’s bring it out of the shadows. Postpartum depression is common. Not shameful.

2. You can feel both love and postpartum depression

Yes, it’s possible to cherish your baby’s scent and still cry into your pillow at 2 a.m.

One of my clients once said, “Rina, I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster. I kiss my baby and feel so full, but five minutes later, I’m crying in the bathroom.”

Postpartum depression doesn’t mean you don’t love your child. It means you’re overwhelmed. Grieving your past self. Craving a minute of silence in a world suddenly filled with cries, diapers, and unsolicited advice from your bua’s WhatsApp group.

You are not broken. You are breaking open. This is what transformation feels like: messy, confusing, and yet somehow beautiful.

3. Postpartum depression isn’t overreacting, it’s overload

I once had a client laugh through tears as she said, “I sobbed for 20 minutes because the sabziwala gave me lauki instead of tinda.”

That, my dear, is postpartum depression in disguise. It’s a system in overdrive. Night feeds. Pressure to bounce back. Feeding everyone’s expectations. It’s exhausting.

You’ve just brought life into the world. You’ve bled, birthed, adjusted, and sacrificed sleep. It makes sense that your body and brain are screaming for rest. You’re not being extra. You’re being human.

4. Postpartum recovery is not a race

Healing takes time. Not likes on Instagram.

There’ll be good days when you cook a meal and feel like a queen. And other days when brushing your hair feels like a win.

One of my clients set a rule: if she could drink chai while it was still hot, it was a good day. That small benchmark became her anchor. Postpartum depression fluctuates. So will you.

Don’t measure your worth with a productivity scale. Healing is not a sprint. It’s a rhythm. Yours.

5. Talking helps, trust me

You do not have to whisper your struggles.

Call that honest friend. Text your sister. Join a local group or talk to a therapist.

One client told me, “Naming my pain was my first step towards reclaiming myself.” And that’s what speaking out does: it gives your pain shape, a name, a doorway toward healing.

If therapy feels intimidating, start small. Even a walk with someone who listens, without fixing, can feel like medicine.

And if you need a soft start, try these stress relief activities. No pressure. Just presence.

6. Spot the signs of postpartum depression

Sometimes, we brush it off as baby blues. But the signs of postpartum depression are deeper. Heavier. They linger.

A client once told me she felt like she was watching her life from the outside. She was smiling in photos, but crumbling inside. This disconnect is real. And it’s serious.

If any of this resonates, speak. You matter. You deserve care.

7. You are still you. Plus more

Postpartum depression makes you question who you are. But listen. You haven’t vanished. You’ve evolved.

Your essence, dreams, quirks, and even that weird habit of singing 90s songs in the shower are still part of you. But let’s say it real: those parts might feel distant right now. That doesn’t mean they’re gone. Just tucked away, waiting for you to rediscover them when the fog begins to lift.

You might feel like a stranger in your own skin. But slowly, gently, the pieces start to settle again. Sometimes in the same shape, sometimes completely new.

Motherhood doesn’t erase you. It expands you. Sometimes painfully. But always deeply. You are still you. Just more.

Use every support tool. Including the right information

Learn about post pregnancy depression. Understand what postpartum anxiety feels like. Know that depression after delivery isn’t a moral failure.

Support can mean therapy. Or a nap. A walk. A no. A pause.

Read more from our Body & Balance collection. It’s curated for women just like you.

And for researched guidance, the World Health Organization offers excellent resources.

If you’re in pain, there is help. If you’re tired, you deserve rest. If you’re scared, reach out. You are not alone.

A personal note before you go

I had a client once who journaled every day for six months. She came in one session and said, “Rina, today I wrote, ‘I laughed today. Not because I had to. But because I wanted to.'”

That’s healing.

It may take months. It may feel slow. But it’s happening.

In my own life, I’ve seen friends and clients navigate postpartum depression with courage, even when they didn’t feel brave. I’ve watched them move from numbness to joy, from tears to laughter. Always in their own time.

If you’re in the middle of postpartum depression, please remember. You’re allowed to ask for help. You can rest without guilt. And you’re still a good mom.

You are healing. And you deserve every truth that helps you get there.

You’re not alone. You never were.

FAQs

Q1: What causes postpartum depression?
It can be triggered by hormonal shifts, emotional stress, physical exhaustion, or lack of support. Postpartum depression is not your fault. It’s a response to overwhelming change, not a reflection of your love for your baby.

Q2: How do I know if I have postpartum depression or just baby blues?
Baby blues usually fade within two weeks. If sadness, anxiety, or numbness lasts longer or disrupts your daily life, it might be postpartum depression. Trust your instincts. If it feels heavy, seek support.

Q3: Will postpartum depression go away on its own?
For some women, symptoms ease over time. But many need support through therapy, rest, or lifestyle changes. Don’t wait and suffer silently. Healing begins faster when you’re not carrying it all alone.

Q4: Can postpartum depression affect my bond with my baby?
Yes, it can. But with help, many moms rebuild that bond stronger than before. Feeling disconnected doesn’t make you a bad mother. It means you need care too. Connection returns with healing.

Q5: Do all moms with postpartum depression need medication?
Not always. Many find relief through therapy, support, rest, or natural healing routines. But if symptoms are severe or persistent, medication may help. Always speak with a doctor to find what’s right for you.

Rina Goswami

Rina Goswamy is a psychotherapist with 11 years of experience helping women from all walks of life navigate emotional challenges, relationships, and self-discovery. Known for her bubbly warmth and no-nonsense insight, Rina believes therapy doesn’t have to feel heavy — sometimes, all it takes is asking the right question at the right time. Her writing feels like a conversation with a wise friend who just gets it.