Week #295 – “Take care of yourself!” (Especially on Mother’s Day…and Especially This Year!!!)

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10th.  If you haven’t made plans yet, don’t panic.  Last week, I posted a dozen ideas (that didn’t include reservations or retail) from a survey of what over 50 REAL MOMS told me they REALLY wanted on Mother’s Day.

But if you’re one of the ones NOT looking forward to Mother’s Day, especially this year…I promised this week would be for you!

So I’m re-posting this message again — because for many women, Mother’s Day is not a happy day.  For some…it is a day of mixed emotions.  And especially this year…it’s REALLY mixed up!

If this is you…please read on, and know you are not alone!

Mother’s Day and Mixed Emotions

Many of the women I exchanged ideas with in my original post reported feeling mixed emotions on Mother’s Day.  Issues of infertility or infant death, the loss of parents or children at any age, disconnection from living parents or children, disagreements among family members, decline of elderly parents, or disappointments in childhood or childrearing — they all come front and center on a day when it seems like “everyone” else is out celebrating with their perfect and loving families.

And this year, we get to pile on a global pandemic that may already have us feeling scared, uncertain, isolated, or alone.

If you feel this way, please know there are others who are feeling the same way.

There are many articles circulating about what to do when you can’t, won’t, or don’t want to celebrate Mother’s Day.  The bottom line is this…and it’s in my own mother’s words:

“Take care of yourself.”

These are tough words to hear when you feel victimized, bitter, powerless, or plain old overwhelmed.  They’re more like a bed of nails than a soft place to fall — trust me, I know.  But they are true.

Because if you won’t take care of you…then who else will?

In my original survey, many women reported mixed feelings on Mother’s Day.  Their advice?  Seek refuge in the comfort of safe friends (this year while social distancing, of course!), the company of like-minded people, or in the things that you really want for yourself and your future!

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: “Take care of yourself!”  Mother’s Day is a great day to remind each of us that “mothering” is an age-old practice.  And while one woman may be have brought you into this world (and maybe even another brought you up)…all that she taught you, good and bad, instructs how you carry and deliver yourself your entire life!  If Mother’s Day is a struggle for you — do what you need to do to take extra special care of yourself this year!  

And take care of others, too — because everyone needs a mom sometime!

Spread Happyness — share your thoughts in the comments!

[This post originally appeared on Week #86.]

5/8/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com