I’m Just a Housewife… Is That All I Am?

Starting the Journey with Peer Support

I signed up for SAPOT-ImROC peer support training just a few months shy after I was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Still clear in my mind; it was in the middle of 2022. I was still very early in my journey to recovery.

When Life Felt Unstable

What pushed me to undergo peer support training was that my life felt very unstable. My marriage was experiencing some difficulties. My relationships with others around me were strained, and I recognised that I needed to make significant changes. I was determined to become better at handling life’s pressures and to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement.

The Weight of Identity and Self-Worth

You know how sometimes we can get really hung up on what we do for work or how we see ourselves, right? 

“I’m just a housewife.”
“I’m just a stay-at-home mum.”

It’s like, my identity and self-worth revolve around this role, and sometimes it feels like because it’s not a traditional job with a salary, it’s seen as less important. And that chips away at how I value myself. 

Without my children, who am I?

A New Identity and Career Path

But now that I’ve become a peer support worker, I have a new identity to introduce myself. And it doesn’t stop there. There is an opportunity for career growth with SAPOT. In fact, I am working on becoming a peer support trainer.

The Impact of Peer Support Training

Undergoing peer support training has been the catalyst for this incredible change. The skills I gained in the training have directly contributed to the healing and strengthening of my relationships, Alhamdulillah. I’ve come a long way in how I relate to others. After going through more tests and assessments, I received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early 2023, which explains a lot about my struggles. With the knowledge and skills I have gained from peer support training, I apply them in my life and it has made a tangible positive difference in how I navigate my day-to-day experiences.

Finding Purpose and Stability

That former instability has been replaced by a sense of purpose and stability. 

Each time I connect with someone and offer support, it reinforces my belief in my own capacity to make a difference, which has been transformative for how I value myself. 

I am more than my diagnoses. And I’m grateful to find a new, fulfilling role in life.