How Calligraphy Helped Me Out of Postnatal Depression
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, I wanted to share my own personal experience with postnatal depression and anxiety, and how turning to calligraphy helped me through it.
I first experienced postnatal depression in 2017, after the birth of my youngest daughter. It had been a stressful birth with some early health concerns that, thankfully, resolved — but at the time, it was incredibly frightening. Not long after that, she became extremely colicky. She cried for what felt like 90% of the day and night, and she couldn’t be put down without screaming. It was exhausting, constant, and completely isolating.
We had also just moved house, which only added to the chaos and emotional overwhelm. At first, I told myself it was just the typical “baby blues,” but as the weeks went on, I started to recognise that this was something more.
The most obvious symptom I had was tears — and a lot of them. I cried constantly, usually from sheer exhaustion, and I felt so low. I stopped opening the door to visitors, closed the curtains during the day, and ignored messages from friends and family checking in. I felt like a terrible mother who just couldn’t cope and was terrified that if someone noticed I was struggling, they would take my children away.
That fear and shame became a prison. I felt angry too, which only added to the shame. I lost interest in everything I once loved — even my job as a graphic designer, which I had built over 13 years.
And of course, it affected my relationships. I pushed people away because I didn’t want them to see me like that.
Me with my youngest daughter in 2017, silently struggling with postnatal depression.
The hardest part of it all was feeling completely alone. I desperately wanted help but didn’t know how to ask for it. Even though I had lots of support around me, I couldn’t let myself accept it and continued trying to fight in silence.
Sadly, I never reached out for medical help at the time. I felt too ashamed and too afraid. I hoped someone would see through the cracks — I remember taking my daughter to the GP and health visitors multiple times, silently wishing they’d ask how I was doing and see through my typical "I'm fine" response. But no one ever did, and so I carried on pretending.
It wasn’t until nearly two years later, in 2019, that I finally admitted to others that I’d been struggling with postnatal depression. Saying it out loud felt like a huge weight had been lifted. By then, I was in a better place — mostly because of one unexpected thing: calligraphy.
I’d first dabbled with calligraphy in early 2016, but never stuck to it properly. Life was just too busy after becoming a first time mum a year before. But in late 2017, after my second daughter was born, I picked it up again — initially just as a way to relax when my husband gave me a bit of space from parenting. Sometimes it was only a few minutes a day, curled up on the sofa with a notepad and pencil, sketching out quotes that resonated with me. It was like my own quiet form of journalling.
Above: An example of the quotes I lettered during my postnatal depression.
What I love most about calligraphy is how it instantly quietens your mind. You focus on forming each stroke, shaping each letter, and somehow everything else just melts away. It became a way for me to process thoughts, to feel present. And when I lettered quotes that gave me hope, they anchored me on some of the darkest days.
Over time, it became a lifeline. I practiced all the time — even in bed, tracing letters with my finger on the sheets (which probably sounds a bit extreme, I know, but I was hooked!).
Eventually, my passion for calligraphy became so ingrained in my life that it transformed into a career. After returning from maternity leave, I made the decision to leave my job and pursue lettering full-time — with the full support of my amazing husband, who encouraged me to prioritise my wellbeing.
Then those quotes I had been writing to myself through my darkest days turned into home décor, as well as also making personalised signs, and eventually wedding calligraphy. I even went on to win multiple awards and be featured on some of the UK’s top wedding blogs.
Above: One of my first products in 2018.
In 2019, I also began hosting my first in-person calligraphy workshops — many of which sold out. When COVID hit and everything moved online, I used the time to write and publish my first book, helping people learn calligraphy from home. Since day one, I’ve always shared how much calligraphy helped me heal, and now, it's a core value of my business. It’s more than art — it’s therapy.
So, if you’re reading this and any part of my story feels familiar to you — if you’re struggling in silence — please, please know that you are not alone. You don’t have to wait like I did. Seeking help isn’t something to feel ashamed of — it’s an act of courage, and it might be the first step toward healing.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a brilliant reminder that our stories matter — especially the hard ones. When we speak up, we help others feel seen. But it doesn’t have to stop at the end of this week. Let’s keep talking, keep sharing, and keep removing the stigma around mental health.
And if you’d like to explore how calligraphy can help you find a little peace, presence, or even joy — I’d love to help. You can find my courses, workshops, and other resources on my website.
If you need someone to speak to about your mental health, please don’t suffer in silence:
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Mind – 0300 102 1234 (9am–6pm weekdays)
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Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24/7)
Be kind to yourself. You’re worthy of support.
