Tennis star Serena Williams penned an open-hearted Instagram post about her experience with “postpartum emotions.”
The elite athlete captioned her struggle after giving birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. less than a year ago.
“Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk.” she wrote.
Last week was not easy for me. Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom. I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with. I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal. It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby. We have all been there. I work a lot, I train, and I’m trying to be the best athlete I can be. However, that means although I have been with her every day of her life, I’m not around as much as I would like to be. Most of you moms deal with the same thing. Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes. I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week–it’s ok–I am, too!!! There’s always tomm!
450.1k Likes, 9,671 Comments – Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Instagram: “Last week was not easy for me. Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was…”
Through this trying time, Serena found that communication was her best coping method.
“I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to 3 years if not dealt with. I like communication best,” she addressed, “Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal.”
Williams also offered words of encouragement and affirmation to other mothers who’ve gone through similar circumstances, even beyond post-partum.
“Most of you moms deal with the same thing. Whether stay-at-home or working, finding that balance with kids is a true art. You are the true heroes. I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week–it’s ok–i am, too!!! There’s always tomm!
Aside from being an extraordinary athlete, and arguably one of the greatest ever, Serena has consistently found ways to bounce back from negative and/or challenging experiences throughout her career and life.
She made it all the way to the 2018 Wimbledon Finals before losing to Angelique Kerber post-childbirth, took the high road during alleged discriminating drug testings, and let’s not forget decades of racist and sexist remarks that both Venus and Serena have dealt with since entering into the tennis scene.
