May 03rd, 2025

As Mother’s Day approaches, many people are busy preparing for brunches, shopping for gifts, and writing heartfelt cards for the women who raised them. But for others, this day brings a different kind of preparation—emotional bracing for a holiday that reminds them of what they’ve lost.

If you’re grieving your mother this Mother’s Day, you are not alone.

This day can feel like a void. A reminder of the space she once filled. Whether your mother passed recently or years ago, the weight of this day can still be overwhelming. That’s because our mothers are often our first everything:

The first voice we hear.

The first person to nourish us.

The one who loved, protected, and taught us—often in ways we didn’t recognize until later.


Mother’s Day, for the grieving, is not about celebration. It’s a day full of remembrance, longing, and sometimes isolation. And it’s okay to feel all of that.

So, how can you cope with Mother’s Day when your mom is no longer here?

Below are a few gentle, healing practices to help you move through the day with grace:


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1. Give Yourself Permission to Grieve

Though you may have already journeyed through grief, it doesn't mean you will no longer experience the emotions again. Sadness, anger, gratitude, or guilt—whatever you're feeling is valid. Let the emotions come without judgment. Feel free to journal or video journal your thoughts and emotions to help compartmentalize them.

Quote: Grief is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of love.


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2. Start the Day With Intention

Plan ahead for how you want to spend the day:

Will you be alone or with loved ones?

Do you want quiet time or a meaningful activity?

Can you take the day off from emotional labor and responsibilities?


Setting the tone early can help you feel more grounded and less caught off guard.


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3. Do Something in Her Honor

Honor your mom in a way that feels authentic:

Light a candle in her memory.

Cook one of her favorite meals.

Write her a letter or journal about your favorite memory of her.

Visit her resting place, or simply sit with her picture in silence.


The act doesn’t have to be grand. It just needs to be real.


4. Limit Social Media

It’s okay to skip scrolling on Mother’s Day. Seeing endless posts about mother-daughter moments can intensify your grief. Give yourself permission to unplug for the day.

5. Let Someone Support You

Tell a trusted friend or loved one that this day is hard for you. You don’t have to go through it alone. Even just having someone check in can bring comfort and help you feel seen.


6. Rest, Reflect, and Breathe

Sometimes the best way to get through Mother’s Day is to slow down and simply survive it. Rest is an act of resistance in a world that wants you to move on.

Take a nap. Take a walk. Take a deep breath.

No matter what you do (or don’t do) this Mother’s Day, know this:
Your grief is sacred. Your memories matter. And your love for your mom lives on.

You are allowed to miss her. You are allowed to cry. You are allowed to celebrate, to ache, to do whatever you need to feel whole on a hard day.

She may not be here—but she will never be gone from your heart.