It’s not too early, as it’s 10:23 already.
I went home at 5:30, with a nanny holding my baby, waiting for me at the door.
Lots of things going on in my mind… My job, my database project, this blog, an elder who just passed away last week and I need to arrange time to visit his family with my mom being cranky… and yet, my body is alarming.
I am sure many of you have heard of thyroid disorders, especially moms who have given birth recently. Around 1 year ago, I thought I was invincible when pregnant with my first baby, but now, not so much anymore…
Be advised that when I am writing this blog post, I have already seen a doctor and everything is fine. She said I just needed rest…
But rest is a luxury when you have your first child. My back started to hurt after around 2 months when I was back to work. Then, I gained weight again because of hormone disorders.
I was still sweaty when I carried my child. Lots of hot flashes, hair loss, shorter periods, and I find it hard to swallow, especially when I am stressed… everything points back to thyroid disease…
When you sit at your desk at work after a sleepless night, every minor problem feels like a huge mountain. You try to focus on spreadsheets or team messages, but your brain feels foggy, and your body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode. Then you come home, hoping to unwind, only to realize that a second shift is just beginning. The crying baby, the pile of laundry, and the family expectations are all waiting for you right at the front door.
It is easy to feel guilty for wanting a break. We live in a society that expects mothers to handle everything seamlessly – working full-time, looking fit, keeping a spotless house, and being patient caregivers all at once. But trying to be a superhero when your body is sending distress signals is simply dangerous. Your thyroid, your back pain, and your exhaustion are not signs of failure; they are loud reminders that you are human and that your engine is running on empty.
Learning to drop the invisible load is a survival skill for new mothers. It means learning to say no to extra tasks, ignoring judgment from older generations who had different circumstances, and accepting that perfection is an impossible standard. Sometimes, taking care of your family means prioritizing your own recovery first, because a burnt-out mother cannot pour from an empty cup.
But you know what? After reading through things, I found out that the only and most sustainable way to cure this disease is to be stressless and rest. Yay, it’s so easy to do that?! Even if going to the hospital, taking pills, or doing surgery, moms’ bodies still need time. We need time to heal. So yes, you are right, I am being lazy today. I am going to bed and trying to get 6 to 7 hours of sleep before my baby wakes up.
Top 5 tips to survive a stressful day
But before closing this chapter of a stressful day, these are my few tips to maintain my mental health, and I really hope whoever is reading this post may find it helpful…
- Do not try to lose weight now. If you do, you are killing a future you (literally), not in 20 to 30 years, maybe under 10 years. I am weighing 96 kg, 170 cm now (93 kg before bouncing back, and around 85 kg before having a baby). I am worried as well. But I know that I need energy and protein; my body needs them to heal. I will deal with excessive fat when I feel better, around the time when my baby is 2…
- Thyroid dysfunction is something all moms have to deal with, and please look at it as normal. Your hormones are messed up, and that’s OK. You just gave birth 10 months ago, and now you have to deal with a yelling boss… you are bound to be tired, stressed, and angry. Accepting it is the way to heal, not denying it…
- Leave the housework; do it when you feel fine. My mom scolded me all the time because of a messy bedroom, like when I was a child living at home. But I was like, “Oh well…” and challenged her to take care of her grandchild so I could rest… Ask your husband to do the housework with you…
- If you have a job, please go to work. Being away from your baby, even for a short time, is important. It helps you clear your head and keep your mind balanced between being a mom and being yourself. But please do things lightly—no one is going to want to scold you right after maternity leave.
- Do the boring routine things, like going to the market, having coffee with your friends, having dates with your husband, and seeing your relatives frequently.
