Happy Mother’s Day to all the great mothers and maternal figures out there! Although we love a reason to celebrate, we also know that today can bring up hard feelings for so many. Mother’s Day can be a painful reminder for those struggling with loss, infertility, or childhood trauma.

Any way that you feel about Mother’s Day is valid and understandable! If you’re struggling today (whatever that looks like for you), it’s okay! We created a few ways to help you get through the day.

Let yourself feel.

Whatever it is that today brings, allow yourself the space to feel it. If you feel sad, do what you know could make you feel better. Take a walk outside, watch a favorite movie, or make a good meal. Take care of yourself the way your child-self wanted to be taken care of.

Make new traditions.

Today can be anything that you want it to be, and if you need to, repurpose the day in a way that provides you comfort. Honor the person you miss by writing them a letter or sharing stories with other people who loved them. Or just get together with other people who feel similarly to you today, because we don’t always have to have a reason to celebrate.

Talk to your support system.

Reach out to someone you trust and let them in on how you’re doing. If the day is hard for you, try letting your loved ones know beforehand so they know to check in on you. It can seem like everyone is busy with their moms or celebrating with family today, but you are not alone. Your support system wants to hear from you!

Give gratitude.

Today can be a painful reminder for so many of us and that pain can feel overwhelming and powerful. Coming up with reasons to be grateful on a day that can be so debilitating sounds rough, we know. But once you start, you’ll understand how cathartic it is to find gratitude in your life. List it out, speak it, and believe it.

Remember, you are not alone.

There are so many reasons to dread this day, but no matter what, remember that you are not alone. Check out your local resources, ask for help if you need to, and take care of yourself.

Let us know what today brings up for you, and tell us how you cope. We’d love to hear from you!

Click here for our free perspective planning worksheet intended to help widen the awareness of what is emotionally ours, what isn’t, and how to move forward.