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\"I needed something to feel like Katrina again, some kind of outlet and confidence booster,\" she explained. \"I immediately was drawn into just the aspect that you could make something beautiful, like that at home -- I fell in love, so I started baking weekly.\"

She continued, \"I started to think about how lonely I had felt after having Sophia and kind of just that switch into parenthood, and I realized this is something that I think every caregiver could benefit from.\"

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Since then, Niesen's loaves have risen to viral acclaim on social media -- her purple butterfly loaf chief among them -- and she now teaches workshops, including for new moms to help them cope with mental health challenges and to inspire personal fulfillment.

\"It's been extremely rewarding taking on this pursuit and sharing it with the community,\" she said of stepping out to teach others and creating a space where they can connect to do the same. \"I always make us a little group on Facebook -- this is a ripple effect and it's really neat to see that something I'm so passionate about has sparked so many others in business or friendships or a new skill that they didn't have before.\"

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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