Mom Mood: LONELY
See also: feeling isolated, missing real connection, grieving the old me
In your former life, your schedule (and your brain) were your own. Now? Not so much. Instead of spending your time doing the things you love with the people you care about, your days might revolve around getting your baby to nap so you can finally load the dishwasher — or schlepping your kid from one event to the next.
Whether you're currently wishing you had more support, feeling trapped or bored by your current circumstances, or just mourning the loss of your social life as you knew it, we know that motherhood can be pretty lonely.
But the thing is, you’re not alone. No matter where you are in your motherhood journey, there are ways to find connection and support — because we guarantee, there are millions of moms out there feeling exactly the same way as you.
💜 KNOW THIS
“Friends are like oxygen. We need at least one or two good friends who we can open up to, hear us when we’re struggling, and help remind us that we deserve support when we need it. This is backed by research, which shows that social support can help us better manage our body’s threat response and calm us.
“But meaningful connection doesn’t require hours of together time and effort. It requires intentional time and consistency. Pick one friend and make plans to see them once a week. Talk specifically about the challenges you’re both facing. A two-way communication street will make your connection thrive.”
— Jennifer Wallace (Parenting Researcher, Journalist & Bestselling Author)
💜 TRY THIS
Leave a voice note for a friend you trust so they can listen and respond when they have a moment. It’s lower stakes than arranging an in-person get-together, and there’s less pressure for you both to find time to chat.
💜 LISTEN TO THIS
This free session from Jennifer Wallace offers some guidance around how show up as the steady, responsive caregivers our families need when we’re stretched so thin.
For more support, download Calm to listen to the additional two sessions below.
Simple tools to support your mental and emotional well-being as you navigate the whirlwind of parenting.
Meditations to understand, investigate and soothe emotions. .
💜 READ THIS
Having mom friends can be a lifesaver. Here's how to make them
Real talk: being a new mom is tough, but having other mom friends can help you feel less alone. Explore 8 tips to help you build your community and why it’s so important.
Why loneliness is so common in motherhood (and how to cope)
Motherhood and loneliness often go hand in hand. Here’s why it’s so common—especially for single moms—and 10 ways to find connection and support.
How to deal with loneliness: 7 tips to help you overcome it
Loneliness can have a profound impact on our health. Learn the signs of loneliness, how to deal with it, and 7 tips to overcome emotional loneliness.
How to make & keep friends as an adult: 10 ways to connect
Learn how to make, and keep, friends as an adult and the importance of these connections. Plus, 10 places where you can meet new people and build friendships.
Why joining a mom group may be the mental health boost you need
Motherhood is hard, but having a strong community can make it a bit easier. Explore the mental health benefits of mom groups, and how you can join one (or start your own).
Join our r/NotCalmMoms Reddit channel
We can tell you that you’re not alone in how you’re feeling—and we mean it—but there's something powerful about connecting with people who really get it.
That’s why we’re launching r/NotCalmMoms, a no-filter subreddit where moms can support each other through life’s ups and downs. Whether you need to vent, gush, or just hear from moms who have been where you are, this is a space for you.
But that’s not all. We’re rolling out expert-led Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions for your most pressing questions and weekly themes to spark real, honest conversations.
It’s unfiltered, judgment-free and just for moms like you. Who knew the calmest place on the internet could be an anonymous comment thread?
Other Mom Moods
A mindful note on the focus on “moms”
Not Calm Moms focuses on maternal mental health because moms disproportionately carry the mental load—but that doesn’t mean we’re leaving others out.
While this initiative is designed for moms, Calm offers a range of resources that support all caregivers. Partners, co-parents, and support systems play a critical role, and we encourage everyone to be part of the conversation. And when we use the term "mom," we're addressing anyone who identifies as a mom.
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