The Shut-Down Trauma Mama

At some point, the world asked more of you than you had the capacity to give. Your nervous system learned that the safest option wasn’t to fight or fix—but to pull inward, conserve energy, and disappear as much as possible.

In motherhood, this can look like exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest, difficulty accessing motivation or joy, and a deep sense of being overwhelmed by your child’s needs—even when you love them fiercely. You may feel guilt or shame for needing space, or fear that something is “wrong” with you.

Nothing is wrong with you. Your system adapted to chronic emotional depletion.

What you needed then:
You needed attunement, protection, and reliable care. You needed someone to notice when you were overwhelmed and step in before you shut down.

What you need now:
You need gentleness, pacing, and permission to rebuild capacity slowly. You need support that honors your limits instead of pushing past them. Healing for you isn’t about doing more—it’s about restoring energy, safety, and trust in your own rhythm.