On Saturday, June 21st, advocates around the world joined together to raise awareness of perinatal mood disorders during the 2nd Annual Climb Out of the Darkness.  Before I leap into the story of our climb with Team DFW a bit about the event from the Postpartum Progress website:

“Climb Out of the Darkness™ is the world’s largest event raising awareness of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety/OCD, postpartum PTSD, postpartum psychosis and pregnancy depression. The event was created by and benefits Postpartum Progress Inc., a registered 501c3 nonprofit that raises awareness and supports pregnant and new moms with these illnesses. Women around the world participate in this grassroots event by going on a hike outside on the longest day of the year to shine a light on maternal mental illness. Climb Out of the Darkness is open to anyone and everyone who supports a healthy start for new families.”


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As a WAHM, I love to support small businesses and other WAHMs.  So, I was really excited when I got the opportunity to review Maple Hill Naturals, a company created and run by WAHMs looking to provide clean, safe alternatives for taking care of our families.  Plus, their products are handcrafted in the US, and a portion of every sale goes to charity.  How do you get better than that?!  Though they also make some lovely personal care items, like lip balm, soap and shampoo, for the purpose of this review, I received the XL Wool Dryer Balls and Natural Laundry Powder.  
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Please take two minutes to watch this video and/or share with the mothers in your life.  You never know who might be fighting a private battle and need a little inspiration.

Imagine that you’ve been pushed from an airplane with no parachute.  One minute, you’re resting peacefully in your seat, and the next you’re free-falling from cruising altitude into the ocean.  You’re terrified, and adrenaline is fire in your veins, but you can’t seem to get past the thoughts that (1) you’re fairly certain you left the toaster plugged in (those first 47 toaster checks were inconclusive), and (2) you don’t know how to swim.  Oh, and the house is dirty.  And, now that you think about it, that cough/sneeze thing you heard from your child this morning likely signifies pneumonia.  As ridiculous as that might sound to some, that’s exactly what Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) can do to you.  Thing 2 turns one this week, and the impending event has had me doing a lot of reflecting.  I’ve been thinking for a while about writing my experience with PPA, and my recent discovery of Postpartum Progress has been the impetus I needed to sit down and do it.  I’ve borrowed the name of their upcoming awareness event as the title of this post, because it’s so very perfect.
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