Just last week, I found myself questioning why there are so many emotional bloggers online. I wondered why someone would choose to capture a moment of vulnerability and share it with the world. Was it simply a cry for attention? Or perhaps an attempt to cope with pain through the lens of a camera?
Now, I understand. There’s no better way to convey the weight of difficult news than through an authentic image.
This was me right after discovering that I needed a hysterectomy. Had there been a camera, it could have captured the moment my partner’s heart stopped, or the day my children were diagnosed with autism, or the times I faced abuse, miscarriage, and other life challenges. While I feel embarrassed by my appearance in this moment, I am not ashamed of my feelings.
It’s easier to showcase our joyful moments than our struggles. In a fast-scrolling society, witnessing others’ pain can be uncomfortable and forces us to confront our own hardships. Yet silence can often be more damaging.
So here I am, at my most vulnerable yet authentic. This image represents every woman who has shed tears over betrayal, stillbirth, sexual assault, or raising children with special needs. I feel heartbroken and sad here, but I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone.
We’ve all experienced moments of hurt and helplessness. It’s inevitable in a world that’s often broken. There will be beauty, but there will also be pain. I believe that true survival comes from sharing our genuine selves with one another.
We are a collective of unique women, united in our experiences of motherhood and beyond. We are partners, daughters, sisters, and friends, and we need a space to discuss issues that extend beyond parenting. For more conversations, visit our home insemination blog, or explore Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit for expert insights. Additionally, you can find useful information at American Pregnancy regarding pregnancy and donor insemination.