Single mum to a 1 year old and I finding it hard to enjoy my life

[Onwards1]

My husband left for another woman before I gave birth, leaving me a single mum to our child. I am almost always incredibly stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted and don’t have any real time to process the trauma and grief I feel. Adding work to the mix is proving difficult and I’m struggling to keep it together. I’m on the highest dose of antidepressants I can be on. Does it get any easier with time? This is so far from the life I was expecting to lead - I’m distraught and can’t believe I’m in this situation.

I am so pleased that you recognise trauma and grief as factors in how you are feeling. Please be kind to yourself. Being a single parent requires superhuman energy levels. You are doing an amazing job raising your little one, managing work and your home. Please find a way to carve out time to reflect on what you are managing, instead of the balls that get dropped. Maybe after your child's bedtime, just 5 minutes to note something, however small, that you did well and something, however momentary, that you enjoyed. Change is the one thing in life you can guarantee. Your child won't always be one, the challenges will change. Big hug.

I found having a one year old difficult even without everything you’ve been through. Please be kind to yourself OP, you’ll be doing so much better than you think you are

Has your GP or HV offered you any counselling? I just wonder if it would help you to work through your feelings?