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.

OR

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

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Today's Mother's Day mantra.
Being a mom is never easy, butalways worth it.
Mother's Day, A day that carriesso many different emotions for
each of us.
For some, it's a celebrationfilled with brunches and
handmade cards, but for others,and perhaps for all of us at
different points in our lives,it brings complicated feelings

(00:23):
to the surface.
Maybe you're missing your momwho is no longer here, whether
through loss, distance, orcomplicated circumstances
perhaps.
You're doing your absolute bestas a mother yourself, carrying
the weight of endlessresponsibilities while
questioning if it's enough, oryou might be on a difficult

(00:44):
journey to motherhood.
Facing challenges and heartachealong the way.
This day can stir up sadness,annoyance, guilt, or even reopen
wounds that were never fullyhealed.
It can make you ache for themother you miss, or the mother
you wish you had.
Today's episode isn't aboutdiminishing anyone's joy or

(01:07):
celebration.
Those moments of appreciationare precious, especially for
mothers who rarely hear thankyou, or get a moment to
themselves.
But this episode is a sanctuaryfor all the other feelings too.
A space to acknowledge thatmotherhood in all its forms is
complex, challenging, and deeplypersonal.

(01:30):
Whether you're celebrating,grieving, striving, or simply
getting through the day, Iinvite you to join me in finding
a moment of peace with ourMother's Day mantra.
Never easy, but always worth it.
A simple truth that honors boththe struggles and the profound
value of a maternal journey.

(01:52):
Whatever form it takes in yourlife right now.
Hello and welcome to the MindfulLife Changes podcast.
We dive deep into the challengesand transformations shaping our

(02:15):
lives from shifts in our rolesat home, and work to the
transitions we navigatephysically and mentally as we
gracefully age.
I'm your host Valerie Mekki, acareer change guide and
mindfulness enthusiast.
Before we dive into our mantrastoday.
I want to share that thisMother's Day feels different for

(02:36):
me too.
I'm living part-time with my momright now, supporting her as she
cares for my dad in an assistedliving home.
I'm not with my husband on thisday, and in some ways neither is
she.
It's complicated.
A word that perfectly describesso many aspects of motherhood
and our relationships with ourmothers, and that's exactly why

(02:58):
I believe in today's mantra.
Being a mom is never easy, butalways worth it.
This simple truth acknowledgesboth the challenges and the
profound value of a maternaljourney.
Whatever form it takes in yourlife.
So let's take a moment to centerourselves with this mantra.
Find a comfortable position,whether you're sitting,

(03:18):
standing, or lying down.
If it feels right, close youreyes or soften your gaze.
Take a deep breath in throughyour nose and exhale fully
through your mouth, letting anytension you might have and
letting it go.

(03:40):
I'll recite our mantra threetimes.
Simply listen and let the wordswash over you.
So let's begin.
Being a mom is never easy, butalways worth it.

(04:03):
Being a mom is never easy, butalways worth it.
Being a mom is never easy, butalways worth it.

(04:27):
Now, as you continue to breathedeeply, I'll guide you through
some affirmations that honor thefull spectrum of motherhood
experiences.
After I say each one, take amoment to repeat it to yourself,
either silently or aloud,whatever feels comfortable to
you.
So let's begin.

(04:49):
I acknowledge that motherhoodcomes with joy and sorrow often
intertwined.
I honor my complicated feelingsabout Mother's Day without

(05:12):
judgment.
I am doing my best, and my bestis enough.

(05:39):
I release any guilt or pressureI feel to experience this day in
a certain way.
I allow myself to feel whateverarises today.

(06:01):
Sadness, love, longing, orpeace.
I am worthy of compassion,especially when motherhood feels
overwhelming.

(06:30):
I celebrate the strength ittakes to nurture others even
when it's difficult.
I find peace in knowing thatlove persists even amidst the
complications.

(07:02):
I embrace the perfect, beautifuljourney of motherhood, whether I
am a mother, have a mother aholdthe absence of one.
Let's return to our centralmantra for today.

(07:23):
Take one more deep breath in andlet all the air out.
Being a mom is never easy, butalways worth it.
Take one deep final breath inand out.
And when you're ready, slowlybring your awareness back to the

(07:45):
present moment.
If it feels comfortable to you,place your hand over your heart
to help seal this practice withself-love and care.
This mantra and theseaffirmations are yours to recite
whenever Mother's Day or any daybrings complicated feelings to
the surface.
You might find it helpful torecite the mantra in the

(08:07):
morning, especially if youanticipate emotional challenges
throughout the day.
You might also create a smallritual around the mantra.
Perhaps light a candle, hold ameaningful object, or simply
take a quiet moment to yourselfas you recit it.
The keys to create a moment ofpeace and connection with
yourself amidst whateveremotions arise.

(08:28):
For a deeper experience, Irecommend listening to episode
52, where we explore a guidedbody scan and transformative.
'I am' and'you are' affirmationspecifically designed for moms.
That episode offers additionaltools to help you calm your
mind, celebrate your strength,and remind yourself of your
incredible worth.

(08:48):
It is a beautiful way to expandthis moment of peace and
continue nurturing yourself.
There is no better way todevelop a healthy habit than by
setting yourself up for success.
Subscribe to this podcast andbookmark this episode so you
have it handy whenever you needa moment of peace.
A miss complicated feelings.
If you found this episodehelpful, please share it with

(09:11):
someone who might be strugglingwith Mother's Day emotions or
show your appreciation by givingus a rating wherever you listen
to podcasts.
Your support helps othermidlifers discover our content,
allowing this podcast to growand blossom.
Thank you for sharing this timeand space with me.
Every moment you dedicate tobeing mindful is a step towards

(09:31):
a more fulfilled and vibrantlife.
Remember that.
However you experience Mother'sDay with joy, sorrow, or complex
of emotions, your feelings arevalid and you are not alone.
I look forward to our nextmindful gathering.
I'll talk to you soon.