Written by Victoria Edwards, Action Duchenne’s Fundraising Officer and mum to Dougie (who lives with Duchenne) and Allie.
Feeling Blue
“This Monday was Blue Monday, and wow… I really felt it. It was grey, drizzly, my son was up half the night and ended up off school from sheer tiredness. My daughter went in to school upset because he got to stay home. By 9am, it honestly felt like I’d already done a full day’s work. And today? It’s only Wednesday and I’m running on empty.
Constant Overload
My life feels like constant overload, with barely any moments that are just for me. I’m the emotional and logistical centre of the house, parenting two children who both need a lot of support, working from home with no real separation between “mum me” and “work me.” Some days I feel stretched so thin it’s like there’s nothing left that’s mine. It gets lonely. It gets overwhelming.
My whole world is structured around responsibility, and sometimes that makes me feel invisible…not because people don’t care, but because I’m never really seen in the thick of it all.
And honestly, the usual self‑care advice of long baths, hobbies, weekends away…it assumes an energy level and support system I just don’t have right now.
Achievable Self-Care
What I do need is small, protected “me time” that’s doable. Something tiny but real. Something that reminds me I exist outside of being needed. Something scheduled, predictable, and not dependent on whether I’ve finished everything else first.
I also crave the kind of support where I don’t have to explain myself, where I can just show up as me. So, I’m thinking about dropping into our online Time Out group for mums as soon as I can. I think I need that space.
I tend to minimise my own needs, feel guilty asking for help, and keep telling myself “I’ll manage.” But that’s survival mode… and I’m ready to step out of it. Quickly.
Right now, making sure at least one small thing belongs just to me feels really important. And I’m going to try to honour that.“
Support
Our monthly online groups for mums, dads and grandparents give you a safe space with a community of people who understand. Wherever you are in your journey, make it the one thing you do for you.
If you’d like to talk to one of our Family Support Officers, fill in our contact form and someone will get back to you.
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