Walk into any shop, and you’re met with a wall of cards and "Best Mum Ever" mugs. Your social media feed is full of stories about “Me and my best friend/mum” and for many lucky people this is true, but for others it’s a loud, inescapable reminder of what is missing. While the world celebrates, a significant portion of the population is quietly bracing themselves for the complex realities they face:

Grieving those who have lost their mothers, longing for those struggling with infertility or the loss of a child, the Estranged as not every mother-child relationship is amazing. For those who are no longer in contact with their parents due to trauma or toxicity, the “but she’s your mom, you should see her” can spark deep guilt or open fresh wounds. The Forgotten for mothers who have lost children, or those whose efforts go unseen and un-thanked, the day can feel more lonely than celebratory. The pressure to perform joy or gratitude when you are feeling void, anger, or numbness is exhausting.

If you are finding the noise too loud this year, here is your permission to:

Mute the keywords: Use your settings to hide "Mother’s Day" from your feed.

Opt-out: Many brands now offer the ability to opt out of Mother’s Day marketing emails. Take them up on it.

Redefine the day: If you can’t celebrate a mother, celebrate a mentor, a friend, or simply celebrate your own resilience.

To the person avoiding the card aisle this weekend, I see you. Your worth is not defined by this day, and your "missing piece" is valid. It’s okay to sit this one out.