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The village she built
Tess on postnatal depression, the woman she lost, and turning her own isolation into Walkie Talkies.
togetHER · MUM PROFILE
Tess is a mum in business and the founder of Walkie Talkies — a project born straight out of her own isolation as a new mother. Beneath the bright, busy energy is a woman who came through postnatal depression, slowly rebuilt her confidence, and set about creating the village she wished she’d had.
THE HARDEST PART
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The hardest part was feeling completely alone — even surrounded by people who loved me.
The hormone shifts, the comparing, the thoughts on repeat — what’s wrong with my baby? Why am I not enjoying this? Struggling to breastfeed and never making enough milk left her guilt-ridden and defeated.
Then came a heaviness she couldn’t explain: going through the motions, holding her daughter, still feeling flat, foggy and far away — then guilty for feeling that way at all. That was postnatal depression, though it took her a long time to name it.
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I’d lost the woman I was before, and hadn’t yet met the mother I was becoming.
Her confidence went with it — all while holding down full-time work, the household, and trying to keep everyone thriving.
WHAT MAKES IT WORTH IT
When she says “I love you, Mummy,” reaches for her hand, or drags her over to show her the most exciting thing in the world. Watching her master a skill she couldn’t do the day before. Reliving her own childhood through her — the games, the activities, the shows she grew up on. And seeing her bond with her husband, which gets her every time.
It gives me such a full, warm heart.
WHAT ACTUALLY HELPED
Getting out and about — off social media, and face to face with people who get it. Accepting help, and letting her village hold her. Therapy, and giving herself permission to actually need it.
The small things that brought her back to herself: meditation morning and night, a book, a bath, a Pilates class, a walk in nature with a coffee in hand. Asking her husband to take their daughter for a day so she could rest — physically and mentally.
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None of it was big or expensive. It was just enough to remind me I was still in there.
WHAT SHE WISHED EXISTED
So much more for postpartum mums — and dads. Beautiful spaces for parents come and go, and every time one closes, the gap widens. So she built Walkie Talkies, straight out of her own isolation — because parenthood was never meant to be done alone.
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I’ve finally built my village — and I’d love to help you find yours.
Tess turned her isolation into a village. Her story is part of why we are building togetHER: the new village for mums, where connection can begin with a walk, a conversation or finding someone who understands. Meet. Connect. Restore.
Follow Tess — Walkie Talkies
Instagram: @walkietalkiesashburton
If this is you right now, please reach out. PANDA 1300 726 306 · Lifeline 13 11 14.
#togetHER #MUMPROFILESERIES #POSTNATALDEPRESSION #MATRESCENCE #ITTAKESAVILLAGE
Originally published on Substack.