In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Libby Ward, creator, speaker, and author of Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself, to talk about what it really looks like to wake up mid-motherhood and realize you never actually knew yourself to begin with. Not because motherhood took you away from yourself, but because trauma did that long before your kids ever showed up.We talk about the overfunctioning, the perfectionism, the hypervigilance disgused up as "being a good mom," and the moment Libby hit a wall in her car on an ordinary morning that changed everything. We also get into repair, the grief that comes with cycle breaking, and why loving your kids, while beautiful, is not actually enough on its own.This one is raw, honest, and so worth your time.In this episode we cover:How Libby recognized her childhood trauma well into motherhoodThe nervous system reality behind why "just calm down" isn't a real optionOverfunctioning and perfectionism as trauma responsesThe granola bar moment (you will feel this one)What cycle breaking actually looks like on a regular TuesdayThe grief of knowing better and still strugglingWhy repair might be the most powerful thing you can offer your kidsLibby's book Honest Motherhood and what's inside the pre-order bonusLinks and resources:Libby's website: https://libbyward.com/ Pre-order Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself at https://libbyward.com/honest-motherhood-bookFollow Libby on InstagramFollow Libby on TikTokThanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcswLearn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim TherapyThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

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