• Home
  • About ‘NewsMom’
    • Contact NewsMom
  • NewsMom News
    • Reporters’ Notebook
    • Interesting Headlines
  • NewsMom Features
    • The Lighter Side: Blogs & Reviews
    • In Depth: Editorials & Commentary
    • NewsMom Investigates
      • Preventing Child ID Theft: Child Credit Freeze How-To
      • Toxic Safety: Car Seat Chemicals
  • Research & Resources
    • Continuing Coverage
      • Car Seat Safety
      • Chemicals & Kids
      • Our Wireless World
      • Travel With Toddlers
        • 10 Must-Haves for Travel With Toddlers
    • Tips, Tricks & Fun Stuff
      • Parenting ‘VineDeas’
    • How To Test For Toxins
  • Reviews & Buying Guides
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • 10 Must-Haves for Travel With Toddlers

'Real News' & Research For Parents, By Parents Who Are 'Real Reporters'

  • NewsMom Topics:
  • Time & Money
  • Warnings & Scams
  • Health & Safety
  • Lifestyle & Reviews
You are here: Home / NewsMom Features / Behind The Lens: Personal Stories & Blogs / A Different Kind of Resolution: Choosing Joy

A Different Kind of Resolution: Choosing Joy

January 11, 2017 By newsmom 1 Comment

A Different Kind of Resolution: Choosing Joy I smiled to myself as I clicked “buy” on something that seemed so out of character: A pair of leggings with a space invaders inspired pattern on them. Yep, a grown woman with space invader leggings. To some, it may seem silly or weird, but to me, it was symbolic. This frivolous (yet comfortable) item that made me grin is a tangible way of showing the world and myself that I am letting go of postpartum anxiety and instead I am looking for what makes me happy.

2016 was a rough year for me. It seems a lot of the world felt the same. For me though, the difficulties weren’t political or social, but a lot closer to my heart. Nonetheless, I was ready to welcome 2017 with open arms and a fresh attitude.

This year, instead of giving myself the usual Type A checklist of career and fitness related goals, I am choosing joy as my resolution. This year, I am allowing myself to enjoy the big and little things in life. I will smile more. I will hold my loved ones close, be silly, and I will let stress over day-to-day chores slide just a little.

Last year, I felt robbed of some beautiful moments by postpartum depression (PPD). What should have been a joyous time in my life was clouded by anxiety, insecurity, and fear. I was too wrapped up in my anxiety to even realize that I had PPD. My husband and I had just moved across the country before I gave birth to our amazing little boy in March. I was away from home, away from family, had just left a job that I loved, had a very difficult labor and delivery and BOOM…out comes a 9 lb 3 oz big ol’ bundle of joy who rocked my entire world. Sure, I knew delivery and motherhood would be difficult, but I was not prepared for the physical recovery and the hormonal changes after birth, not to mention feeling like a stranger in my own postpartum skin.

It took me nearly six months to even recognize that I had PPD, something many women experience. I didn’t seek help when I recognized the symptoms, but I wish that I had. Fortunately, I didn’t have an extreme case and I started to feel “normal” again after about seven or so months.  That’s when I finally started to truly enjoying being a mom. I was lucky enough to have my family as a support system. They would fly out to help and would talk with me on the phone nearly every day. I felt as if I was barely scraping by in “survival mode”, but It was my family that taught me that I needed not just to survive, but to live.

For 2017, of course, I am striving to be the best mother and journalist that I can be. I’m also focusing on my health and fitness, but I’m taking time to enjoy the “in-between” moments. I have a second chance and I plan to savor every second by making my son belly laugh, holding my husband’s hand, trying something new, wearing silly space invader inspired leggings and moving into the new year fearlessly. My different kind of resolution.
Please seek help if you do experience symptoms of PPD including: 

Depressed mood or severe mood swings

Excessive crying

Difficulty bonding with your baby

Withdrawing from family and friends

Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual

Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much

Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy

Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

Intense irritability and anger

Fear that you’re not a good mother

Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy

Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions

Severe anxiety and panic attacks

Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer.

Sandra OsnorneSandra Osborne is an award winning Reporter/Anchor,  formerly with News 13 in Orlando. The new mom is currently freelancing at KPIX in San Francisco.  You can follow her on Triter @SandraOsborneTV

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

About #NewsMomReviews

Unsponsored Reviews For Parents, Written By Journalists Who Are Also Parents#NewsMomReviews are written by journalists, not “brand ambassadors.” They are not endorsements (paid or otherwise). These reviews are simply anecdotes about real-life experiences with popular products, apps and services. Got a topic you’d like us to cover? Pitch it on Facebook or Twitter  @NewsMomDotCom (and follow us while you're there!).

Comments

  1. Здравствуйте,Вам подтвердили бесплатный билет. Войдите на нашем сайте ->> https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/62eb57d564ec315321db0d93/?hs=de8ccb642dfa1c08bc29d3f7f80b2890& says

    August 7, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    ctinv1

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

#NEWSMOM NOTE

We’re taking a bit of a hiatus from posting new content here, but we’ll keep sharing great journalism and research via the @NewsMomDotCom Facebook page.

You can also follow @NewsMomDocCom on Instagram for fun #MomLife videos & posts. 

We’re working on new and exciting ways to get you the “real news” and research that matters to you! In the meantime, we’ll keep all of our existing research archived here at NewsMom.com.

Follow NewsMom.com

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

About NewsMom

NEWS, REVIEWS & RESEARCH BY REPORTERS WHO ARE MOMS & DADS

We are not "influencers" or "brand ambassadors." We are parents and journalists sharing our investigative research, resources, and news reports with others.

As moms & dads, we have an intimate knowledge of the issues parents face. As journalists, we have an ethical obligation to remain independent and transparent.

Newsmom.com features "unsponsored" news, reviews, and resources you can trust.

About

  • About NewsMom
  • Contact

NewsMom Sections

  • NewsMom News
  • NewsMom Features
  • NewsMom Reviews
  • Research/Resources

NewsMom Topics

  • Time & Money
  • Warnings & Scams
  • Lifestyle & Reviews
  • Health & Safety

Cont. Coverage

  • Preventing Child ID Theft
  • Investigating Car Seat Chemicals

Featured Pages

  • Travel With Toddlers
  • Test For Chemicals
  • Parenting VineDeas
  • Buying Guides

Follow NewsMom

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · NewsMom · Genesis Customization: imakewp.com · SEO Site Speed: Marketing the Change

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.