I Have Anxiety and Depression—and I'm a Good Mom

The Sweetest Mother's Day Gift!

My name is Lauren. I have depression. And I’m a good mom.

It took me a few months to be able to tell what it was. I was withdrawn. Sad. Uninterested. Joy stripped. Resentful. It took everything I had in me to get out of bed in the morning, let alone take care of the kids. I was alone in my sorrow, and drowning in my shame. I knew that something needed to change.

My name is Lauren. I have depression. I take my antidepressant. And because of it, I’m a better mom

It took me a few months to be able to tell a difference. But once it happened, the change was undeniable. I was intentional again. Happy. Interested. Joy reclaimed. Compassionate. It took everything I had in me to not squeeze the life out of my kids because I loved them so much, there was nothing that held me back from loving them the way I was meant to. I was finally free in my mind, and living in contentment.

My name is Lauren. I have anxiety. And I’m a good mom.

It only took me a few moments to know what it was. My heart was racing. Couldn’t catch my breath. Couldn’t think straight. Overwhelmed by my own mind. And so alone. It took everything I had in me to try to get away from where I was, let alone do it with grace and still take care of the kids. I was alone in my mind, the walls closing in around me. It was happening all the time, and I knew that something needed to change.

My name is Lauren. I have anxiety. I take my anti-anxiety medication. And because of it, I’m a better mom.

It only took me a few moments to know what it was. My heart was racing. But I could catch my breath. I was starting to be able to think straight. The feeling of being overwhelmed suddenly started to fade. And all of a sudden, I didn’t feel so alone. It took everything in me to breathe and stay where I was, but I did it with my meds and His grace, my children by my side. I was surrounded by His peace, the walls of my anxiety were melting around me. I was finally calm in my mind, and living in peace.

My name is Lauren, and I am a child of God. I have depression and anxiety. I take my meds. And because of it, I’m a better mom.

What’s YOUR name?

Originally published on From Blacktop to Dirt Road

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

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Lauren Eberspacher

I'm Lauren and I'm a work-in-progress farmer's wife, coffee addict, follower of Jesus and a recovering perfectionist. When I don't have my three kids attached at my hip, you can find me bringing meals into the fields, dancing in my kitchen, making our house a home, and chatting over a piece of pie with my girl friends. I'm doing my best to live my life intentionally seeking all that God has for me and my family. Follow me at: www.fromblacktoptodirtroad.com From Blacktop to Dirt Road on Facebook laurenspach on Instagram

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