Honoring Mother’s Day with Compassion

Mother’s Day can stir up many emotions—gratitude, grief, joy, guilt, or even resentment. As a psychologist, I often encourage clients to approach these complex feelings with both opposite action and self-validation. These tools can help us navigate the day in a grounded, emotionally healthy way.

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Feel What You Feel (Self-Validation)

It’s okay if Mother’s Day doesn’t feel picture-perfect.

Maybe you’re grieving a loss, coping with a strained relationship, or feeling overwhelmed as a mom yourself. Rather than pushing away those emotions, try self-validation: “It makes sense that I feel this way. My feelings are real and allowed.”

Validating your emotions doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck in them—it just means you’re giving yourself the respect of being honest about your experience.

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Act with Intention (Opposite Action)

Sometimes, emotions urge us to withdraw or lash out. If you’re feeling sadness, anger, or bitterness today, opposite action can be a powerful skill. It means doing the opposite of what the emotion is pulling you toward—if acting on that emotion would be harmful or unhelpful.

For example:

• If you feel like isolating, you might text a friend or go for a walk with someone.

• If you feel like being critical, you could choose kindness or curiosity instead.

Opposite action isn’t about faking happiness—it’s about choosing behaviors that align with your values, even when emotions make that hard.

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You Get to Choose What This Day Means

Mother’s Day doesn’t have to look one way. You might celebrate with joy, hold space for grief, or even reclaim the day for rest and self-care. However you show up today, let it be authentic and kind.

Give yourself permission to feel, and choose actions that support your well-being. That’s not just good psychology—it’s good self-care.