Here's the FB post I wrote today.
It is National Fertility Awareness Week so I am writing this to encourage those struggling with infertility not to continue hiding in the shadows and to consider unburdening yourself with the weight that you carry.
It is not about telling your story to gain pity. It is about giving yourself the permission to shine a light on a dark and very difficult path you are on. Opening up to my fertility struggles publicly at this time last year gave me freedom from a self-inflicted cage. No longer was I trying to keep my emotions hidden from those who could be my biggest support network. I learned how brave I really was, to be vulnerable with something that was so deeply painful, and to not be afraid to let others see that pain. It gave me the permission to gracefully say no to baby showers or birthday parties, and left those hosting with understanding and compassion. It gave me the release of carrying the secret like a hippopotamus on my back. I have received such support and love from people it has helped me cope tremendously. I can now express myself when the grief is just too much and people have compassion - not pity. And often they have hope, when I don’t have it for myself. If you know someone who is carrying this burden alone and think this might help them please screenshot and share this with them. They don’t have to go through this feeling alienated and alone. It is up to all of us to transform how others view infertility. Be part of a movement that wants to remove barriers that stand in the way of building families during National Infertility Awareness Week. https://infertilityawareness.org/
It is National Fertility Awareness Week so I am writing this to encourage those struggling with infertility not to continue hiding in the shadows and to consider unburdening yourself with the weight that you carry.
It is not about telling your story to gain pity. It is about giving yourself the permission to shine a light on a dark and very difficult path you are on. Opening up to my fertility struggles publicly at this time last year gave me freedom from a self-inflicted cage. No longer was I trying to keep my emotions hidden from those who could be my biggest support network. I learned how brave I really was, to be vulnerable with something that was so deeply painful, and to not be afraid to let others see that pain. It gave me the permission to gracefully say no to baby showers or birthday parties, and left those hosting with understanding and compassion. It gave me the release of carrying the secret like a hippopotamus on my back. I have received such support and love from people it has helped me cope tremendously. I can now express myself when the grief is just too much and people have compassion - not pity. And often they have hope, when I don’t have it for myself. If you know someone who is carrying this burden alone and think this might help them please screenshot and share this with them. They don’t have to go through this feeling alienated and alone. It is up to all of us to transform how others view infertility. Be part of a movement that wants to remove barriers that stand in the way of building families during National Infertility Awareness Week. https://infertilityawareness.org/
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