MAY: Spring Reflections as We Try to Bloom
May is perhaps the most beautiful month of the year. The sun shines brightly, the days grow longer, and we can finally put away our winter coats and sweaters. It’s also Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to acknowledge that, even as the weather brightens, those of us struggling with depression, anxiety, or eating disorders may continue to face internal challenges. Marked by Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekend, May holds space for both celebration and reflection.
Mother’s Day, although largely a celebration, can be especially stressful. For those of us navigating food or binge-eating issues, food-centered gatherings—like taking mom out to a restaurant—can trigger anxiety. Those dealing with binge eating, purging, emotional overeating, or restricting may find these occasions particularly difficult.
This day may also stir feelings of grief. We might miss grandmothers, mothers, or other nurturing figures who are no longer with us. Women who haven’t raised children may feel a sense of loss or regret.
No matter the relationships we’ve had—or wished to have—with our mothers or children, this day can be a chance to honor the nurturing spirit in all women. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the love we’ve given and received from anyone who’s offered us maternal care, whether they were family or not. We can recognize the strength of womanhood and the deep connections we form across generations.
As May draws to a close, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. While this long weekend can bring fun and relaxation, it also poses unique stressors for people with eating disorders. Warmer weather means lighter clothing—shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits—which can intensify body image struggles.
This tendency to “compare and despair” or “compare our insides to others’ outsides”—as it is said in 12-Step programs—is misleading and harmful. The truth is, no one has it all together. And while three-day weekends can look carefree from the outside, they often bring added stress behind closed doors. The pressure to relax and enjoy ourselves can highlight emotional distance or communication breakdowns between partners and within families. Arguments and disappointments during these long weekends may be more common than we think. Couples counseling or family therapy can help us establish and sustain more gratifying relationships. Rather than judging ourselves and falling short in imagined comparisons, we need to recognize our own strengths, develop healthier body images, and continue creating the lives we want. It’s also important to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day: honoring the brave men and women who fought for our freedoms. With the gift of a long weekend, we can pause to appreciate what we do have.
Every step we take forward, emotionally or physically, counts!