Becoming a parent is often described as one of life’s most joyful moments—and while that’s true, it’s also one of the most overwhelming, exhausting, and disorienting experiences many of us will ever go through. The newborn and early postpartum season can feel nothing like the glossy images we see on social media or in advertisements. And that’s okay. It’s normal.

For many parents, those first weeks (and months) are a blur of sleepless nights, endless feeding sessions, and emotions that swing between deep love and sheer overwhelm. It can be confusing to hold such joy and such exhaustion at the same time. You might wonder if you’re doing it “right.” You might even grieve the life you had before. None of this makes you a bad parent—it makes you human.

It’s also common to feel physically depleted. Your body is healing, your hormones are shifting, and rest is hard to come by. Add to that the pressure of “getting it all together,” and the weight can feel unbearable. But here’s the truth: no one has it all together in those early days, no matter how it may look from the outside.

Normalizing this experience matters. Because when we silence the hard parts, parents can feel isolated and ashamed. But when we share honestly, we remind each other that it’s not just them. That the tears, the messy house, the unanswered texts, and the constant worry are part of the journey—not signs of failure.

If you’re in the thick of it right now, take this as a gentle reminder: you are doing enough. Feeding your baby, holding them close, and simply showing up is enough. The laundry can wait. The dishes can wait. Perfect can wait.
This season won’t last forever. The nights will get easier, your body will regain strength, and your baby will grow in ways you can’t yet imagine. But for now, it’s okay if survival feels like the goal. That’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.

So let’s talk more openly about the real postpartum experience: the beauty and the chaos, the joy and the struggle. Because when we normalize it, we make space for compassion—for ourselves and for each other.