From Bone-Tired to Unbreakable: My Journey as Tired Mom Runs

Back in 2014, I was the most exhausted version of myself—running on fumes, stretched thin, and hanging on by a thread. Sound familiar? I see you, mama. You’re not alone.

Here’s the thing about motherhood: it’s intense, relentless, and often isolating. But as much as it can feel like you’re the only one battling that fog of fatigue, the science of connection tells a different story. We’re wired for community, for shared struggle, and for rising together.

Two thousand fourteen. The year I was the most exhausted version of myself—not just tired, but soul-weary, ground-down, hanging on by my fingernails. My days were an endless loop of feed, clean, soothe, repeat. My brain felt like a rusted-out engine, and my spirit like a distant echo of the woman I used to be, and a body that felt like it had been run through a paper shredder.

Tired Mom Runs Journey

Some days, I’d snap a quick selfie of my tired, hollowed-out face—maybe trying to capture the raw reality of those moments. I felt like a ghost, moving through the motions but disconnected from my own body and mind.

But here’s the raw truth: Motherhood broke me. It brought me to my knees, stripped me of my identity, and left me staring into the abyss of postpartum depression.

But it also saved me.

Finding Strength Through Movement

It’s a paradox, isn’t it? We’re sold this image of motherhood as a time of bliss and fulfillment, but the reality can be crushing. Studies show that up to 1 in 7 mothers experience postpartum depression, but the silence around it is deafening. I was one of them. I felt trapped, ashamed, and disconnected from the person I used to be.

See, movement isn’t just about getting fit. It’s about reclaiming your power, proving to yourself that you’re not just a milk machine or a sleep-deprived shell. But here’s where the science of movement saved me. Exercise isn’t just about muscles and calories burned. It’s a neurochemical lifeline.

When you move, your brain pumps out endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine—nature’s most powerful mood boosters. I started small, literally dragging myself out for short runs and shaky push-ups in my tiny living room, slowly reclaiming my sense of self. It’s your nervous system’s way of saying, “Hell yes, you’re alive. Keep going.”

The Joy of Movement was a game changer for me. Highly recommend this book by Kelly McGonigal.

Movement reminded me that I was still strong, still capable, still worthy of feeling good. It helped me claw my way back to the light, one step at a time. That’s why I’m here now, reaching out to you.

How I Reclaimed My Identity Through Exercise

That’s how I clawed my way back—through slow, gasping runs, shaky push-ups on the living room floor, and moments of sheer stubbornness. I reconnected with my breath, my body, and my fire. I found myself again, not despite motherhood, but because of it.

Motherhood shouldn’t feel like a slow disappearance of self. It can be a powerful rebirth, a chance to redefine your limits and rediscover your strength.

So, if you’re in that fog right now, I see you. I’ve been you. And I’m here to remind you that you’re stronger than you know. You have your own Tired Mom Runs Journey, that looks like you. Own it.

And now, I’m here to tell you, mama, you’re not just a tired mom. You’re a damn warrior.

Join me as I share the real, science-backed ways to move through this chapter and reclaim your fire. You deserve it.

Postpartum depression is still heavily stigmatized, often associated with shame and embarrassment. It takes great courage to admit that amidst what should be the most precious time in your family's life, darkness can loom overhead.

Ready to start your journey to feel better? Check out MOMentum more info here.

No one deserves to suffer in silence.

With fire, sweat, and relentless grit,

Marjaana,

also known as Tired Mom Runs

Check out my Instagram @tiredmomruns and follow me on Substack