I’ve been moving this week. Yes, I know I moved almost exactly a year ago at this time. Now I’m doing it again. I am SO VERY over it. We are about 85% moved into my new house, which is only about 6 houses down and right around the corner from the old one. I went to takea shower this morning and realized my shampoo is still at the old house. As is about half of my closet. As is everything in the fridge. Snarl.
My new house has no DirecTV service yet and no phone yet. So no internet. Which is why I’ve been quiet these last couple of days. I’m sitting at Starbucks right now using the wifi so I can say a quick hello to you before I head back to unpacking.
I have to say — and this may sound strange — I really miss all of you when I’m not here. I know I don’t personally know most of the readers of Postpartum Progress, but you are like my second family in a way. I feel like I know you personally. I love hearing from you. I love seeing what you are doing to combat your own postpartum depression/anxiety/OCD/psychosis, and what you are doing to help others fight it. I just want to remind all of you how much of a true blessing you are to me. It is such a gift to do work that is received positively by others. God blesses me everyday with each and every one of you. So thanks. A lot.
This move also reminds me how stressful moving is, which is why it is no surprise that an event like this can be a risk factor for postpartum depression. It’s very unsettling not knowing where everything is, dealing with your children’s discomfort in being uprooted, feeling like you are in a foreign place. I have no idea which light switch turns on which light, or why the ceiling fan won’t work, or which box has my children’s bathing suits, or where to put all this CRAP I’ve accumulated over the last few decades. Even if you like where you are going — which I do — it’s hard to avoid being frustrated and a little anxious.
Whether it’s a big move, or a job change or job loss, or the death of a loved one, major life stressors are risk factors for PPD. Don’t forget that if you are planning something big right at the time you are pregnant or just after having had a baby.
Wow – two moves in a year? You're a brave woman!
We moved when my firstborn was two…before I'd been diagnosed with PPD and PTSD, but while I was treading water in the deep end with my happy face plastered on. One of the surprises awaiting me at this house was that I found myself deathly afraid of my son falling down the stairs. I envisioned it all the time – him being paralyzed or dead at the bottom of the stairs. Believe me – lots of therapy sessions centered around that fear. I still don't know why that was a trigger. And it still pops up from time to time, even with my second son, who's now two. I think change is really good – but I'm glad you're reminding moms that it can also trigger things in you that you didn't even know were lurking there! Oh – and my firstborn actually did fall down the stairs at one point and I was at the bottom and literally caught him! A nice little gift from the universe. 🙂
I was six months pregnant (with one kidney the size of a loaf of bread) when we sold our first home, moved across the country, and I quit my career in anticipation of staying at home with the baby. Change much? Yikes. Boy I look back and really wish I had been proactive about getting into therapy (like my very wise hubby suggested before all the changes). Maybe it wouldn't have prevented my PPD/PPA but it certainly would have helped.
I'm 47 years old now and I've moved so many times I can't keep up count but it's always a fresh start and I just like it maybe next time I will be moving to Spain and live there for a year.. Wish you good luck in settling in.
missing your postings:(