Meet Muyly Miller

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Muyly Miller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Muyly, really appreciate you opening up about a very personal topic with the hopes that it can help someone out there who might be going through it. What can you share with us about your journey with postpartum depression and how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

My Journey Through Postpartum Depression

My path to motherhood was incredibly tough, even before my baby arrived. My husband and I struggled to conceive, which meant taking medication and constant check-ups. The pregnancy itself was a roller coaster with several scares, and then the delivery had its own set of terrifying complications. You’d think after all that, I’d feel this huge wave of relief and instant love, but it was the complete opposite.

Instead, my baby’s arrival felt a bit ill-timed. We had so many follow-ups for her because of the difficult pregnancy and delivery, and we ended up staying in the hospital much longer than we expected. She was what they called a “high crier,” and as a new mom, I felt completely lost. They just kept saying she was a high crier without offering any real solutions, which was incredibly frustrating.

The Disconnect at Home

When we finally brought her home, it was a relief to be in our own space. But then, the reality of having a baby settled in, and I just wasn’t in love. It felt more like a series of tasks: feed her, nap her, change her, then tackle housework, squeeze in a shower. My days revolved around these duties, and I found myself feeling incredibly mean, sad, and just plain unemotional towards her.

I tried to break the cycle. I thought, “Let me get outside.” But even that was a huge effort. I remember someone making fun of me for carrying a diaper bag on a walk around the block, and it just piled on the feeling that I wasn’t doing anything right. Motherhood wasn’t this glowing experience I’d imagined.

The Turning Point and Diagnosis

It wasn’t until my five-month postpartum check-up, when the nurse casually asked how I was doing, that I finally broke down. I told her, “I am not well. Everything is gray. I’m trying to go outside, but nothing seems clear. I’m not happy with my baby, and I’m not happy in my marriage.” That’s when they diagnosed me with postpartum depression and prescribed an antidepressant. They explained that my hormones and what was happening in my brain were two separate issues, which was a lot to take in at the time. I just felt like I was dealing with both a hormonal and a neurological problem.

Finding My Way Back

Overcoming PPD meant first coming to terms with how to slow my life down. My baby, at that point, felt like a “situation” I had to figure out how to make work for me. This might sound strange, but I started a little Etsy shop making baby leggings and headbands. In a way, my baby “worked” for me by modeling the clothes. This creative outlet was truly a turning point.

It made me closer to her. It made me touch her more, hold her more, and see her through the lens of my camera. That, combined with the medication, really helped me understand motherhood better. I’d just left a job I loved, and my husband wanted me to stay home, so it was a huge life change. But having that little Etsy shop and photographing my baby helped me discover my nurturing side. It allowed me to truly see her.

I’m actually tearing up as I write this because I wish I’d had that connection and understanding from the very beginning. I feel bad that she didn’t have the same mom with her first few months as my second baby did. But I’m so grateful I was able to correct myself and truly connect with her and embrace my role as a mother.

Ultimately, I overcame postpartum depression by finding a way to be flexible with my thoughts and actions, and by finding a unique path to connect with my baby.

Remember, every parent’s journey is unique. If you’re struggling, please reach out for help. There’s support available, and you don’t have to go through it alone.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Muyly Miller is a passionate entrepreneur, building The Muyly Miller Company from the ground up back in 2011. Her journey is a fantastic example of someone who truly follows her passions and turns them into thriving ventures. After building her successful wedding and event planning business, she then created WedUtah, a beautiful online magazine full of inspiration, which she grew and then passed on to new hands.
You might recognize Muyly from her appearances on local TV, like “2 News Fresh Living” or “Fox 13’s The Place,” where she shares her amazing tips, especially when it comes to baking. She’s even won a blue ribbon at the Utah State Fair and baked a special cake for Governor Herbert! Teaching is another one of her joys. As an Associate Instructor for cake decorating at the University of Utah’s Lifelong Learning programs, she offers classes in cake, cupcake, and other dessert decorating—you can find her upcoming schedule on their website! She also loves bringing her engaging classes to private parties and corporate events. She makes learning fun and accessible for everyone.
Muyly’s background is incredibly rich and varied—she’s studied cosmetology, worked in real estate, and even as a securities broker. These experiences have given her a unique way of connecting with people and spotting new opportunities, like her interests in children’s fashion and cookbook writing. Beyond all her entrepreneurial successes, Muyly also gives back to her community, including her important part-time role as a family lead and early childhood advocate for the state of Utah, and her active involvement as a board member of Love Lake City, a nonprofit focused on supporting individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and addiction.
Muyly’s story is a heartwarming lesson in how passion, combined with courage and a willingness to explore, can lead to a truly fulfilling entrepreneurial path.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back at my own journey, the three most impactful qualities that truly made a difference were building a supportive network, embracing learning by doing, and cultivating adaptability.
* Building a Supportive Network: This is your foundation. Early in your journey, it’s crucial to find your safe circle—your tribe of friends and family. These are the people who will celebrate your wins, lift you up during setbacks, and provide that vital encouragement when things get tough. They’ll be your biggest cheerleaders and your most honest sounding boards.
* Advice for development: Actively nurture your relationships. Don’t just focus on business connections; invest time in the personal bonds that provide emotional resilience. Be open about your aspirations and challenges with those you trust. Your personal network is an invaluable asset that will sustain you through growth.
* Embracing Learning by Doing (Jumping In Scared): No one starts as an expert. The most significant leaps forward often come from just diving in, even when you’re scared. You’ll learn far more by taking action and iterating than by waiting for perfection. While you may not be “the expert” yet, you are the expert in your capacity to start and grow.
* Advice for development: Don’t let fear of the unknown paralyze you. Start small, experiment, and be prepared to make mistakes. Crucially, combine action with continuous field research, extensive reading, and active networking. Seek out mentors, industry leaders, and peers. Learn from their experiences, but always apply that knowledge through your own practical efforts. Remember, every step is a learning opportunity.
* Cultivating Adaptability: The entrepreneurial landscape is constantly changing. Markets shift, trends evolve, and audiences mature. To stay relevant and successful, you must be adaptable. This means being open to pivoting your strategies, products, or services to meet new demands and opportunities, all while staying true to your comfort zone and values.
* Advice for development: Regularly assess market trends and consumer behavior. Don’t get too attached to your initial idea; be willing to refine or even reinvent it based on feedback and new information. Develop a flexible mindset by embracing change as an opportunity, not a threat. Stay curious about emerging technologies and new ways of doing business, and proactively seek ways to integrate them into your ventures.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Seeking Collaborative Partners for Engaging Team-Building Experiences
I am passionate about helping companies foster stronger teams and boost morale through the joyful and creative art of cake decorating. In today’s challenging work environment, where stress can be high and budgets tight, offering employees a unique skill-building activity can be incredibly impactful.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with leading organizations like American Express, Diversified Financial, and Salt Lake Community College, serving as a valuable tool for their team-building initiatives and corporate retreats. My approach focuses on teaching practical skills while creating a fun, low-pressure environment that encourages connection and camaraderie.
I believe in the power of hands-on learning to uplift spirits and strengthen bonds. If your company is looking for an innovative way to invest in employee well-being, develop new skills, and enhance team cohesion, I would love to explore how we can collaborate to create a memorable and beneficial experience for your workforce. Let’s work together to bring this unique blend of skill-building and morale-boosting to your team! The best way to reach me is through email, [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mmc_bakesandcakes

Image Credits

visionary homes
KUTV Fresh Living