If you are like I was, I kept wondering if this all my life was now. Was my life sadness, and depression, and deep pain and grief like I’ve never known before. How was I supposed to be the mother to my other children, who I love so much, yet I’m snapping at them, and struggling with being their mother? I didn’t love Aria anymore than my other children, so how come her dying is taking over and robbing me of being the mother I want to be?

So many of us experience mental health struggles, yet we suffer alone and in silence. Julie Lee’s mission is to let others know that they are seen and heard, because compassion and connection save lives. In today’s episode, Julie shares with us her journey with her mental health, and how she’s coping and utilizing today to be able to live a functional and happy life.

Four things I learned in my grief after my daughter Aria died. I so badly wanted to go to sleep and not face what was my life looming in front of me. I learned there was no way I could go to hide from my grief.

The first step to getting help, is becoming aware that there is a name to what you are experiencing, and that there is hope and help out there.

Today I’m talking with Lyndsey Proctor who owns a outpatient treatment center for mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression, and anxiety. I am so grateful Lyndsey shares her knowledge with us today, as it could be the first time you are hearing that you are not crazy, and that it’s okay to get help.

Today on The Cultivated Family Podcast I wanted to share an story and way of looking at grief that I heard very soon after Aria died. It has stuck with me, and now that I’ve lived a few years with my grief, I resonate more and more with it. Grief really does come in waves, it will be with us the rest of our lives.

In today’s conversation, listen in as Melissa from Josiah and Co shares about her precious angel babies. She has experienced 8 pregnancies, and 2 children living here on this earth. Melissa has fueled her grief into crocheting and makes booties with heaven babies in mind. She shares about what it’s like to experience pregnancy after loss, and what it’s like to walk the line between grief and relief.

-Stages of Grief is a misconception
-There are no stages in grief
-Every person grieves different, and it's more of a web or roller coaster
-Anger
-Depression
-Shock
-Guilt
-Acceptance
-So many more emotions to grief
-It's up to you to learn to carry your own grief- no one else can do it for you.

In this episode we dive into:

-The hidden grief that comes with infertility

-How Danelle and her husband made the decision to start the adoption process

-Their experience with a failed adoption, and how that has changed them

-The ways she was grieving that were not serving her, and the tools and methods she uses now to cope with her grief