104. Mother's Day Mantra: Finding Peace When Motherhood Is Never Easy But Always Worth It

Mother's Day isn't simple for everyone. In this special episode of the Mindful Life Changes podcast, host Valerie Mekki creates a sanctuary for those with complicated feelings about this holiday. Whether you're missing a mother, doing your best as one, or navigating a difficult maternal journey, this episode offers a compassionate space for reflection and healing.

Join Valerie as she shares her own complicated Mother's Day experience and guides you through a gentle mantra practice: "Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it." Through calming affirmations and mindful breathing, you'll find validation for the full spectrum of emotions that Mother's Day can bring—from grief and guilt to love and gratitude.

This episode isn't about diminishing anyone's celebration but about honoring the complex reality that for many, Mother's Day holds both light and shadow. Discover how to find peace amidst these contradictions and embrace your authentic experience with compassion and grace.

Check out episode 52 for a guided body scan meditations and empowering "I am" and "You are" statements designed for moms. 

We are now on YouTube! Check out a playlist of beautifully animated affirmation videos and helpful videos about midlife changes like changing careers, being in the sandwich generation, and more. Look for my new channel "Oh, hello midlife"

Formerly known as the "Mindful Career Change Podcast," I decided to broaden our conversation to cover all life transitions, not just our careers.

Follow the show @mindfullifechanges on YouTube, IG,and DM a question or comment about the life transitions you're going through too. I might answer your question in one of the episodes to help you and other midlifers navigate this ever changing and beautiful season of life.

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Find us on YouTube! Check out a playlist of beautifully animated affirmation videos. I also publish helpful videos about midlife changes for career changers, being in the sandwich generation, vlogs on living part-time with my mom and more. You'll find me "Oh, hello midlife" on YouTube.

Connect with me on YouTube @ohhellomidlife

Transcript

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Today's Mother's Day mantra. Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it. Mother's Day, A day that carries so many different emotions for each of us. For some, it's a celebration filled with brunches and handmade cards, but for others, and perhaps for all of us at different points in our lives, it brings complicated feelings to the surface. Maybe you're missing your mom who is no longer here, whether through loss, distance, or complicated circumstances perhaps. You're doing your absolute best as a mother yourself, carrying the weight of endless responsibilities while questioning if it's enough, or you might be on a difficult journey to motherhood. Facing challenges and heartache along the way. This day can stir up sadness, annoyance, guilt, or even reopen wounds that were never fully healed. It can make you ache for the mother you miss, or the mother you wish you had. Today's episode isn't about diminishing anyone's joy or celebration. Those moments of appreciation are precious, especially for mothers who rarely hear thank you, or get a moment to themselves. But this episode is a sanctuary for all the other feelings too. A space to acknowledge that motherhood in all its forms is complex, challenging, and deeply personal. Whether you're celebrating, grieving, striving, or simply getting through the day, I invite you to join me in finding a moment of peace with our Mother's Day mantra. Never easy, but always worth it. A simple truth that honors both the struggles and the profound value of a maternal journey. Whatever form it takes in your life right now. Hello and welcome to the Mindful Life Changes podcast. We dive deep into the challenges and transformations shaping our lives from shifts in our roles at home, and work to the transitions we navigate physically and mentally as we gracefully age. I'm your host Valerie Mekki, a career change guide and mindfulness enthusiast. Before we dive into our mantras today. I want to share that this Mother's Day feels different for me too. I'm living part-time with my mom right now, supporting her as she cares for my dad in an assisted living home. I'm not with my husband on this day, and in some ways neither is she. It's complicated. A word that perfectly describes so many aspects of motherhood and our relationships with our mothers, and that's exactly why I believe in today's mantra. Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it. This simple truth acknowledges both the challenges and the profound value of a maternal journey. Whatever form it takes in your life. So let's take a moment to center ourselves with this mantra. Find a comfortable position, whether you're sitting, standing, or lying down. If it feels right, close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale fully through your mouth, letting any tension you might have and letting it go. I'll recite our mantra three times. Simply listen and let the words wash over you. So let's begin. Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it. Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it. Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it. Now, as you continue to breathe deeply, I'll guide you through some affirmations that honor the full spectrum of motherhood experiences. After I say each one, take a moment to repeat it to yourself, either silently or aloud, whatever feels comfortable to you. So let's begin. I acknowledge that motherhood comes with joy and sorrow often intertwined. I honor my complicated feelings about Mother's Day without judgment. I am doing my best, and my best is enough. I release any guilt or pressure I feel to experience this day in a certain way. I allow myself to feel whatever arises today. Sadness, love, longing, or peace. I am worthy of compassion, especially when motherhood feels overwhelming. I celebrate the strength it takes to nurture others even when it's difficult. I find peace in knowing that love persists even amidst the complications. I embrace the perfect, beautiful journey of motherhood, whether I am a mother, have a mother ahold the absence of one. Let's return to our central mantra for today. Take one more deep breath in and let all the air out. Being a mom is never easy, but always worth it. Take one deep final breath in and out. And when you're ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the present moment. If it feels comfortable to you, place your hand over your heart to help seal this practice with self-love and care. This mantra and these affirmations are yours to recite whenever Mother's Day or any day brings complicated feelings to the surface. You might find it helpful to recite the mantra in the morning, especially if you anticipate emotional challenges throughout the day. You might also create a small ritual around the mantra. Perhaps light a candle, hold a meaningful object, or simply take a quiet moment to yourself as you recit it. The keys to create a moment of peace and connection with yourself amidst whatever emotions arise. For a deeper experience, I recommend listening to episode 52, where we explore a guided body scan and transformative.'I am' and'you are' affirmation specifically designed for moms. That episode offers additional tools to help you calm your mind, celebrate your strength, and remind yourself of your incredible worth. It is a beautiful way to expand this moment of peace and continue nurturing yourself. There is no better way to develop a healthy habit than by setting yourself up for success. Subscribe to this podcast and bookmark this episode so you have it handy whenever you need a moment of peace. A miss complicated feelings. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might be struggling with Mother's Day emotions or show your appreciation by giving us a rating wherever you listen to podcasts. Your support helps other midlifers discover our content, allowing this podcast to grow and blossom. Thank you for sharing this time and space with me. Every moment you dedicate to being mindful is a step towards a more fulfilled and vibrant life. Remember that. However you experience Mother's Day with joy, sorrow, or complex of emotions, your feelings are valid and you are not alone. I look forward to our next mindful gathering. I'll talk to you soon.