Not all pain is loud.
Not all struggles look like tears.
For many mothers, the hardest moments come quietly – in the early hours when the house is still, or in the middle of a birthday party, surrounded by people. It’s the slow fade of joy, the persistent fog of fatigue, or a hollow sensation they can’t quite name.
These aren’t the stories we often hear about motherhood. But they are real – and increasingly common.
Image credit: sai-de-silva via unsplash
“People see me doing the school run, managing work, organising playdates… but inside, I often feel disconnected, like I’m floating through a life I’m not fully part of,” says Renée, 41, mum of two from Ealing.
“There’s a kind of ache that isn’t physical. You’re not depressed enough to collapse. But you’re not living either,” adds Lola, 39, who reached out for help only after waking up for weeks without feeling anything at all.
These women aren’t failing. They’re not being ‘dramatic.’ They’re experiencing a little-discussed facet of maternal mental health – emotional void.
It’s a term that’s rarely used in parenting circles, yet it echoes in countless minds. Unlike classic postnatal depression or anxiety, emotional void often doesn’t tick the usual boxes. It’s subtle. Functional. And often dismissed.
“You can be high-functioning, smiling, doing all the right things, and still feel completely numb,” says Marygrace Anderson, a clinical hypnotherapist who specialises in maternal mental health. “This kind of inner silence is not just sadness – it’s disconnection from self. It’s very common, and very misunderstood.”
So why aren’t we talking about it?
Partly because mums are expected to adapt – quickly and without complaint. The narrative of ‘blessed exhaustion’ has made it harder to recognise when something’s truly wrong. Social media only adds to the illusion, presenting curated snapshots of joy while hiding the unspoken ache many women carry.
“I didn’t tell anyone for over a year. I felt ridiculous. I had a healthy child, a supportive partner, and yet I felt like I was vanishing,” says Deepa, 44.
Therapies do exist – but not everyone wants or needs medication. Hypnotherapy is actually a gentle, subconscious tool that has helped countless mums reconnect with themselves.
“Hypnotherapy helps mums peel back the layers,” says Anderson. “We go beneath the surface, working with the subconscious to release guilt, buried emotions, and unhelpful beliefs. It’s not magic – but it is powerful.”
Sessions can focus on rebuilding self-worth, soothing the inner critic, or simply giving the mind permission to rest. Unlike quick fixes, the approach is tailored and calming – and entirely medication-free.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s break the silence around maternal numbness.
Let’s stop waiting for breakdowns before offering support.
Let’s give mums permission to say: “I don’t feel right,” and be met with understanding – not judgement.
If you’re reading this and something resonates, know this: You are not broken. And you are not alone.
Need to talk?
Marygrace Anderson, Clinical Hypnotherapist at MG Hypnosis, offers a safe, supportive space to explore these feelings and gently restore emotional wellbeing – without medication.
info@mghypnosis.co.uk
www.mghypnosis.co.uk
Special offer given to readers, with a simple promo on Marygrace Anderson’s hypnotherapy website – Get 10% off a first session valid until 30st June 2025 using code “London Mums”.
