Mother’s Day - Holding Space for Every Story
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Mother’s Day can be beautiful, joyful and deeply meaningful. It can also be incredibly hard. For some, it is a day filled with breakfast in bed, handmade cards, warm hugs and laughter around the table. For others, it can bring grief, loneliness, longing or silence. At Activ8 Mind, we want to acknowledge that Mother’s Day is not experienced the same way by everyone - and every story deserves compassion.
Today, we honour:
Mothers raising children while carrying exhaustion behind the smile
Mothers who have lost children and carry a grief that never truly leaves
Women longing to become mothers and navigating infertility, IVF or miscarriage
Mothers experiencing postnatal depression, anxiety or emotional overwhelm
Single mothers doing the work of two people
Grandmothers who continue to nurture, guide and hold families together
Mothers estranged from their children
Women who stepped into mothering roles through fostering, mentoring, caregiving or simply loving deeply
Those spending Mother’s Day without their own mothers
Sometimes social media paints Mother’s Day as perfect. Matching pyjamas. Flowers. Happy photos. Smiling families. But real life is often more layered than that. Motherhood can come with identity shifts, emotional load, guilt, pressure, sleep deprivation and the constant feeling of trying to “get it right”. Many mothers silently carry stress while continuing to show up for everyone else. If this day feels difficult for you, please know you are not alone.
A gentle reminder for Mothers struggling right now
You do not have to hold everything together all the time. If you are feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed or disconnected, small steps matter. Here are a few things that may help:
Pause the pressure. Today does not have to look perfect.
Lower the expectations and focus on what genuinely feels manageable.
Take 10 minutes for yourself without guilt - even if it’s a quiet cup of tea in the sun.
Speak kindly to yourself. You are likely doing far better than you think.
Reach out to someone safe. Connection matters.
Move your body gently. A short walk, stretching or fresh air can help regulate emotions.
Allow yourself to feel what comes up instead of pushing it away.
Limit comparison. Social media is a highlight reel, not the full story.
Sometimes motherhood can feel heavier than expected. If you notice ongoing sadness, irritability, hopelessness, anxiety, emotional numbness, trouble coping or feeling constantly overwhelmed, it may be time to seek support. There is strength in asking for help. Support can come from:
A trusted friend or family member
Your GP
Parent support groups
Community mental health services
To the Grandmothers
Grandmothers often hold generations together with wisdom, patience and unconditional love. Whether you are actively helping raise grandchildren, offering emotional support behind the scenes or carrying family traditions forward - your role matters deeply. And for grandmothers grieving, navigating distance from family or feeling forgotten today, we see you too.
A Final Reflection
Mother’s Day is not just about celebration. It is also about acknowledgement -
Acknowledgement of love. Acknowledgement of sacrifice. Acknowledgement of grief. Acknowledgement of resilience. Acknowledgement of the invisible emotional work so many women carry every day.
However today feels for you - joyful, painful, complicated or quiet - your experience is valid. From all of us at Activ8 Mind, we wish comfort, compassion and connection to every person navigating Mother’s Day in their own way.
About The Author
Karishma Chandiramani is Activ8 Mind's Business Operations Manager. Based at our Adelaide HQ in Parkside, she brings 22 years of experience in occupational rehabilitation, disability employment and services, community services, allied health, counselling, and leadership to our growing team.
Visit Karishma's profile to learn more about her, her qualifications, and her experience.
Comments