after listening closely
to what mothers share,
some patterns keep appearing.

Most mothers don’t say: “I’m struggling.”
They say: “I’m just tired.”

Wanting motherhood and struggling with motherhood
are not opposites.

Most mothers aren’t afraid of motherhood.
They’re afraid they won’t recognize themselves again.

Many mothers think they’re failing.
Most are carrying too much.

The feeling mothers describe most often
isn’t sadness.
It’s loneliness.

The hardest part is rarely the baby.
It’s everything else, with no margin.

Mothers in the hardest moments
often don’t use the word “struggling.”
They say: “I’m fine.” “I’m okay.” “It’s nothing.”

The thoughts that scared you most
probably said more about how much you love them
than about who you are.