My maternity leave was filled with anxiety, dread, physical and mental exhaustion, resentment at my husband, loss of identity and autonomy. Guilt that by wishing away the hard, I had missed out on moments that were meant to be wonderful. Shame at how the birth unfolded. Heaviness. Overwhelm. I questioned if I was failing as a mother.

I didn’t know who I was anymore, outside of being a mom. My body wasn’t fully my own for three years. My mind hadn’t rested a full night in three, long, exhausting, years. I wondered, in despair, if I’d ever feel like myself again.

So if you’ve felt any of this, know it’s not just you.

I had read the books. Followed the advice. Watched the videos. None of it prepared me for how vulnerable I would feel. How exposed, and yet invisible. There was no one to give me the raw, unfiltered truth. No one to guide me through the messy middle. I needed a mentor. Someone who had been there, who had come out the other side not just surviving, but thriving. Someone who wore her scars proudly and had the courage to own her boldness.

This is what I want Artemis to become: a virtual village. A network of women who lift each other up. A space for empathy and leadership, transparency and resilience. A place to celebrate wins and share the truth behind them.

This is just the beginning. You deserve the truth. And you deserve support.

– D