Ten Things I Learned at the Mental Health and Motherhood Conference

Revisiting one of my favorite days in 2024

I’m a true introvert, so I don’t have any deep craving to jump on a Zoom call with a friend, let alone with a group of women I don’t know. But even I found beauty and hope in the Mental Health and Motherhood Conference community, and I’m so glad I got to be a moderator for two of the panels.

Chanel Riggle

poured her heart and soul into making this event happen, and it’s been really inspiring to see her turn an idea into something that means something to her and other women around the world. Here are a few of my personal takeaways from the day.

• I’m not alone. (This is one of those things it’s easy to smile and nod at, but hearing so many mothers share their personal stories made this truth settle into my bones.) 💛

• Everyone hates some part of being a mother. 🙊

• “Joy is a resource not a responsibility.” 😍 (

  Tanmeet Sethi, MD
  was an incredible speaker. This was just one of the gems she shared. Isn’t this such a welcome perspective shift?)

• The more self compassion we can give ourselves, the more joy we can feel, even in the hard times. 🙌

• Self compassion is the number one tool we can use when we’re trying to grow and change. Sometimes it’s enough to just say “This is really hard. It makes sense that you’re feeling this way.” Sometimes it’s as simple as putting your hand on your heart and softening a tiny bit. Safe touch disarms our inner alert system. 🫶

• The way

  Lauren Barber
  and
  Kathryn Barbash, PsyD
  talked about the noise in motherhood made me realize the noise might not ever go away, but it might not bother me as much when I take time to fill up my own cup. 🍵

• Jeannie Ewing
  taught me that we actually know a good amount about who is at risk for postpartum depression, and we need to raise awareness. Knowing the risk factors can help new moms make a plan to avoid crisis. 💪

• Kaitlyn Elizabeth
  helped me understand we don’t have an inner child, we have a multitude of inner children, and they’re trying to do grown up things without the experience or skills of being a grown up. Usually what they want is just a moment of our time. 😁

• Emma Del Rey
  taught me how to “air out the house” by giving each part of myself a little attention and space. It’s a quick practice we can do when there’s no time for journaling (or crying). 🌬

• Anyone can call 988 at anytime. You don’t need to be suicidal. You don’t need to be in crisis. You definitely don’t need to be a new mom. You can ask for help and be connected with someone who is trained to help with a wide variety of situations at any time. ☎️

Were you there? Please share your biggest takeaways in the comments below.

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✏️ PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert. My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to enjoy the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard. 👏