Emotionally Drained

After each visit with my son I am left feeling emotionally drained. I feel like my emotions are on overload and I just need a little time recuperate and let my emotions settle back down. It’s worse if there is big emotional anticipation accompanying a visit like with a birthday or a special occasion such as his kindergarten graduation a few years back but nonetheless, it is always there in some form or fashion.

So, how can you deal with that feeling of emotional exhaustion after a visit? I’ll share what works for me.

I give myself time to recuperate and rest after a visit. Usually by the next day I’m better. Sleep always helps too. Things always seem brighter after a nap or a good night’s sleep.

I usually try and write a brief recap after each visit in my journal. Sometimes I wait until the next day if I am feeling over emotional like when that visit corresponds with a birthday or a special occasion but other times I feel ok to write a recap and pour out my emotions on paper not too long directly after the visit.

Another thing that sometimes helps me is talking about the visit with other birthmother friends. Sometimes I’m ok to talk about the visit directly after it while other times I just need to be alone with my thoughts and feelings and I turn my phone off until the next day.

Everyone is different though so works for me may not work for you. You also may not even be experiencing this. I must say that the feelings of emotional drainage have lessened over the years. They are still there but they are not quite as strong as they were in the first year.
So, do you experience emotional drainage after a visit and if so, what do you do to deal with it?

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