The Crossroads: When Motherhood & Career Collide
Natalie had always envisioned herself as someone who could juggle it all—her career, her passions, and now, motherhood.
But nothing prepared her for how much her life would change after having her daughter in January 2024.
She hadn’t planned to return to work at 8 weeks postpartum—but she did. As a therapist running her own private practice, she had the flexibility to set her own schedule. So, she eased back in, working just three days a week.
But at six months postpartum, reality hit: she was struggling with postpartum depression, postpartum OCD, and burnout. She felt like she was moving through life in survival mode, constantly drained, barely recognizing herself.
"I knew something needed to change. I wasn’t the same person anymore, and I needed to adjust my work and life to fit who I was now."
So, in January 2025, she made a shift:
✔ Dropped down to working just 2 days a week.
✔ Rebranded her therapy practice to focus on maternal mental health.
✔ Started a blog to connect with other new moms.
Now, she feels more confident, grounded, and hopeful than she has in a long time.
"It took me a year to land in motherhood, and some days it’s still a struggle. But I finally feel like I’m building a life that works for me."
The Challenges: The Emotional & Physical Toll of New Motherhood
- Letting Go of Her Old Identity
"I didn’t realize how hard it would be to say goodbye to the person I was before my daughter was born. I kept trying to ‘get back’ to my old self, but that version of me didn’t exist anymore." - Severe Sleep Deprivation & Decision Fatigue
"When you're running on fumes, even deciding what to eat for breakfast feels impossible." - Mental Health Struggles
Experiencing postpartum depression, postpartum OCD, and mom rage—things she had never faced before—left her feeling out of control. - Feeling Like She Was Failing at Everything
"Between the exhaustion, the identity shift, and the mental health struggles, I felt like I was doing everything wrong."
What Worked (and What She’d Do Differently)
✔ Leaning on Support Instead of Powering Through Alone
"Meals, childcare relief, postpartum care, therapy, community—every little bit helped."
✔ Allowing Herself to Be Honest & Vulnerable
"For so long, I thought I had to hold it together. The moment I admitted I was struggling, everything started to shift."
✔ Adjusting Work to Fit Her Life, Not the Other Way Around
"Dropping down to 2 days a week wasn’t just about work—it was about giving myself permission to slow down and prioritize what mattered."
What she’d do differently?
✔ Give Herself More Grace Earlier
"I wish I had known that I didn’t have to ‘bounce back’—physically, mentally, or emotionally. I would have been kinder to myself."
✔ Avoid Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
"I leaned on things that weren’t serving me in those early months. I wish I had reached out for support sooner."
The Tools & Resources That Helped
📌 Parenting Support Groups – Connecting with moms going through the same struggles made her feel less alone.
📌 New Mom Friends & Like-Minded Communities – Helped her realize she wasn’t the only one feeling lost.
📌 Therapy (Both Personal & Professional) – As a therapist herself, she knew mental health support was key.
📌 Flexible Work & Her Husband’s Job Transition – Both of them made adjustments to create a schedule that worked.
📌 Starting a Blog & Rebranding Her Practice – A way to process her journey and help other moms do the same.
"I started being brutally honest with myself and others. That’s when things started to change."
Check out her blog: www.innerbloomwellness.com/blog
Natalie’s Advice: Every Phase is Temporary—You Are Stronger Than You Think
✔ You Are Not Alone—Even When It Feels Like You Are
"I wish I could go back and tell myself that struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. Every mom has hard days."
✔ Your Mind & Hormones Will Lie to You—Don’t Believe Everything They Say
"You are more powerful than the intrusive thoughts, the exhaustion, and the guilt. They don’t define you."
✔ Give Yourself Permission to Pivot
"I thought I had to ‘get back’ to who I was before motherhood. Instead, I had to let go and create something new that worked for me."
✔ If Something Feels Off, Pay Attention & Make a Change
"I tried to push through, and it only made things worse. When I finally adjusted my schedule, I felt like I could breathe again."
Natalie’s Both& Moment: Being a Therapist & a Mom—And Letting It Be Messy
Natalie’s story is a reminder that even when you love your career, motherhood changes everything.
✔ She had to learn she could be both a dedicated therapist and a struggling mom.
✔ She realized she could both work fewer hours and still grow her business.
✔ She found that she could both ask for help and still be a strong, capable woman.
This wasn’t about figuring it all out overnight—it was about allowing herself to evolve at her own pace.
Why This Story Matters for Both&
- Challenges the Idea That Work-Life Balance Comes Instantly – Sometimes, it takes a year (or more) to figure it out.
- Highlights the Importance of Adjusting Work to Fit Your Needs – Dropping down hours doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re prioritizing.
- Normalizes Postpartum Mental Health Struggles – Even therapists need therapy. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
- Encourages Moms to Be Honest About the Hard Parts – Motherhood isn’t all bliss—and that’s okay.
