There has been a lot of discourse recently about postpartum mental health—what it looks like to need support, how the medical system fails new parents, and fingers pointing blame in all directions. The truth is that so many people have been screaming these things into the void since long before the topic became part of the mainstream dialogue. In this very newsletter, we’ve highlighted the existing work of postpartum doulas, counselors, physical therapists, and other experts. We established Folly as a place to share these resources, and also a platform for each other’s stories. We know that, in general, healthcare is reactive instead of proactive. This thing happened, but then I got help and now it’s fixed. Society would prefer we tell stories in the past tense, to make everyone around us comfortable, to wrap it all up in a bow. But we need to hear more from the messy, tangled middle—and help each other as we unravel.
We Prepare for the Baby, Not the Mother
Maternal mental health is often treated as the sole responsibility of the person experiencing it.
As I’ve watched the Lindsay Clancy trial unfold, I’ve felt this uncomfortable pit in my stomach. I scroll through social media and see everyone (!) offering their opinions—some informed, some shaped by personal experience, and many based on only a scan through headlines and/or a general lack of reading comprehension. Open the schools, I beg.
Everyone is so eager to give their opinion on whether or not Clancy is guilty. And somehow “we” as a society are more willing to argue with some angry incel man on Twitter or believe the hundreds of TikTok conspiracy theories than to face the fact that a mother, a former labor and delivery nurse at that, suffered from postpartum psychosis and may have done something terrible. However, the more troubling question I can’t get out of my head is: Would we even be talking this much about a postpartum woman’s mental health if her situation hadn’t ended in unimaginable tragedy? (Not to mention, would we even be talking about a postpartum woman’s mental health if she weren’t white? But that’s an entirely different essay.)
We’ve been taught to equate motherhood with suffering. Struggling is normal, exhaustion is expected, and losing yourself is ~*only temporary*~. Pulling through isn’t a celebrated victory, it’s just the kind of self-sacrifice we’ve been taught is required to be a “good” mom. We admire and praise the mothers who show no cracks—the ones who seamlessly float through their morning routines and pack lunches to the sweetest song choice on Instagram Reels. One look at the comments on said videos and we see multiple remarks about how together they have it, how strong they are, and how they are “crushing motherhood, mama.” But, somewhere along the way, we stopped asking whether moms should have to be that strong in the first place. We’ve become so accustomed to applauding maternal resilience that we’ve forgotten resilience can sometimes be a sign that someone has been left without enough support.
Work wardrobe staples that are perfect for fall
I’ve been working remotely, in various capacities, since the summer of 2019. So if I’m being totally honest, my work wardrobe has consisted of looking very professional from the waist up and lots of yoga pants and fuzzy socks on the bottom. When I did get to go to the office or travel for work, I relished the opportunity to wear chic, work-appropriate outfits. Over the years, Nuuly has been my best friend for these trips, allowing me to experiment and discover what lasts all day on the subway, in conference rooms and at standing desks, and can be worn straight into happy hour. Here are some of my favorite work wardrobe staples that are perfect for fall. —Jess Mayhugh
High-waisted and stretchy fabrics are my friend for obvious reasons, and these Old Navy pants come in so many color and fabric varieties that you can stock up and rotate through a few.
We love a denim dress for every season, and especially paired with tights and boots for fall.
These adorable square-toed ballet flats have passed our hourlong commuter test.
Love the sporty look of a polo collar and autumnal color palette of this swing sweater dress.
Everyone needs an Oxford shirt in their work wardrobe, but it doesn’t have to be boring.
We love a cropped trench for the spring and fall, and this price is certainly right.
Big fan of the chain belt. It’s such an easy way to elevate a plain dress and highlight your waistline.
A must-have in every season, a cross-body bag is the only way to remain hands-free and ready for anything my toddler throws at me (literally and figuratively).
A new study says estrogen therapy may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
The Gloria Steinem episode of Famous Last Words on Netflix is full of gems, including our personal favorite: “This is the most important thing we can do for each other—to know each other through stories.”
This wooden puzzle cube has been a sweet little refuge from screen time and a fun way to connect with my partner after bedtime. C’mon, brain health!
We thought the return of the brooch would be a fleeting fashion moment that came and went with the 2026 runways. But Broochella has officially hit the mainstream—and we’re into it.
Three words: London fog cookies.
“During my last embryo transfer, I told my doctor that I brought Gorilla Glue just in case. He did not laugh. But the nurse and embryologist did!” —Folly reader Hannah M.
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