Navigating the Emotions of Mother’s Day: A Complex Balancing Act

Mother’s Day is an annual celebration of mothers everywhere. For many people, it is a day of appreciation and celebration of the women who have had a positive influence on our lives and we take this opportunity to show our gratitude and love for our mums, grandmothers, or any woman who has played a nurturing role for us.

However, while some embrace this celebration with open arms, there are many who find themselves triggered by complicated emotions.

Whether it is due to past traumas, difficult relationships, not fitting into societal expectations of motherhood or the recent or not-so-recent loss of our mother, this day can be a source of pain and hurt for many.

This blog post will look at the various impacts that Mother’s Day can have on different individuals as well as ways we can all learn to be aware of others and better support one another during this time.

Positive emotions

For those lucky enough to have positive relationships with our mothers or motherhood, Mother’s Day is a time of celebration and appreciation. After years of experiencing loving support, it can be wonderful to have the opportunity to reciprocate by showing mums how much they mean to us.

 This day can be filled with joy, love and lasting memories as we express our gratitude towards the women who have made a loving and positive impact.

It gives us the opportunity to recognise the women who have played a supportive, nurturing role in our lives, whether through their kindness and support or simply by being there for us when we needed them most. It is a chance for us to thank these special people in our lives and let them know how much we care about them.

A complex trigger for many

For those who have experienced the loss of their mother or perhaps trauma or abuse as a result of their mothers or motherhood, Mother’s Day can be a difficult time that brings up painful memories.

It is important to recognise the complexity of the emotions surrounding this day and take the time to practice self-care and take note of how you feel. Whether you rely on support from loved ones or getting away from it all, it is essential to find healthy ways to cope so you can move forward with strength and resilience.

For women who cannot have children or have struggled with infertility, Mother’s Day can be a hard reminder of what they are missing out on and so reinforce feelings of lack. It is important to acknowledge any feelings of sadness, disappointment, and frustration that can come with such a difficult journey.

While this day may evoke painful emotions, it is also an opportunity to remember that there are many other ways to show love and create meaningful relationships with those we care about.

For people whose family does not fit into society’s conventional definition of motherhood or traditional family, Mother’s Day can be a reminder of any sense of exclusion we may feel. These feelings are valid and should not be ignored – we all have the right to feel seen and loved, regardless of our situation.

Even if it feels like an insurmountable challenge, it is possible to create your own understanding of motherhood and find meaningful ways to celebrate the day.

Supporting yourself on Mother’s Day

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it might help to give yourself the space and time needed to process your emotions. Prioritising self-care is key, so try taking a break from social media and perhaps reaching out to supportive friends or family members who can offer encouragement and understanding.

Finding ways to ground yourself in the present moment, such as going for a walk or taking yourself somewhere you are not bombarded with images of Mother’s Day, can also help ease anxiety and cultivate peace of mind.

Mental health support groups, hotlines and online forums may also be beneficial in providing access to professional resources while you deal with difficult emotions. Lastly, organisations devoted to supporting families can offer valuable connections and opportunities for finding comfort.

Supporting others on Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day, we can try to be conscious of the fact that motherhood can take on many forms, such as single parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, grandparents raising grandchildren and more.

To truly honour all women’s experiences on this day, we can try to make an effort to recognise these diverse families and celebrate them in a meaningful way.

It is also important to practise self-care and create alternative activities for people who are struggling with feeling isolated or alone on this day.

We should also feel encouraged to talk about our feelings about the day and how it affects us both positively and negatively. This will not only provide an opportunity for understanding and empathy but may lead to deeper connections between individuals.

Lastly, creating a safe space by promoting acceptance of different family structures can go a long way in helping those who struggle with Mother’s Day to feel seen and supported.

Conclusion

Mother’s Day is an important day for many families. It is a celebration of the special bond between mothers and their children, and no matter what form that bond takes or who the individuals involved are, it deserves to be honoured and recognised.

This day can bring up different emotions for people depending on their family or life situation. Those who are struggling can try to practise self-care activities or reach out to supportive friends and family members.

We can also look into mental health support groups, hotlines, online forums and other organisations devoted to supporting families in order to find comfort during this time.

Lastly, we should come together by accepting all family structures and creating a safe space for people to honour Mother’s Day in a way that feels right for them.

And even if you don’t have anyone to buy a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates for, you can always treat yourself!

How I can help

If you are feeling triggered and stressed by the emotions caused by Mother’s Day, it is important to look into and release those feelings so you can set yourself free.

I would love to help you explore your triggers around Mother’s Day or other family relationships, to help you overcome any blocks they may be causing you.

EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is a form of psychological acupressure that can help you release the negative emotions you may be feeling in any area of your life.

I can teach you the skills you need to use this valuable tool in any area of your life.

Get in touch

If you’d like to have a chat to see if I can help you, please send me a message or book a free call and we can talk about working together. It would be a pleasure to work with you!