Fathers Day - Holding Space For Every Story.

As Fathers Day approaches, I sat and thought about how complex this day can be, it can bring a mix of happiness and excitement for children celebrating their daddy, it can develop closeness and security for families spending time together. For others, it can be a sad reminder of loss, confusion, anger or longing. This day can bring unexpected emotions to the surface and remind us of wounds that are still healing.

Whatever Fathers Day means to you, there is no right way to feel. You do not have to force yourself to celebrate, nor do you need to justify your emotions to anyone else. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is acknowledge our feelings, give ourselves permission to experience them, and seek support if we need it. What do you need this Fathers Day?

Days such as Fathers Day can act as emotional reminders. Even when we are coping well in our day to day lives, certain dates, anniversaries and celebrations can bring feelings to the surface that we weren't expecting. We live in a culture where days like Fathers Day, is shown and expected as a happy occasion, which for many it is, filled with cards and gifts, family meals and gatherings. However, it can leave others feeling disconnected and sad. Sometimes people find themselves grieving not only the father they lost, but also the father they wished they had.

What is it that you find yourself missing, is it the person, the relationship you once had, or perhaps the relationship you longed for but never experienced?

It is possible to love someone and feel hurt by them. It is possible to miss someone and still feel anger. It is possible to feel relief that a difficult relationship is over while also feeling sadness about what could have been. Human emotions are rarely simple, and days like Fathers Day can remind us of that.

One of the challenges many people face is judging themselves for their emotional response. You may think why you are so upset years after your loss, or you may wonder why a family gathering has affected you so strongly. You may even feel guilty for not wanting to celebrate... rather than judging yourself for how you feel, what might happen if you became curious about what those feelings are trying to tell you?

The reality is that our emotional responses often tell us something important about our experiences, our relationships, and our needs. Rather than criticising ourselves for what we feel, we can try approaching those feelings with curiosity and compassion.

A gentle reflection as Fathers Day approaches, ask yourself: what do I need this fathers Day and how can I give myself permission to honour that need with kindness? Whether that means spending time with loved ones, remembering someone you've lost, setting boundaries, taking time alone or simply acknowledging difficult feelings, your experience matters.

Taking the step to talk about what you're carrying can be an important part of healing. At Jo Bright Counselling I provide a safe and supportive space to help you explore life's challenges, process difficult emotions and find a way forward. If you would like to learn more about counselling or discuss how I may be able to support you, please feel free to get in touch.

Jo Bright Counselling

07432 252832

jo@jobrightcounselling.co.uk

www.jobrightcounselling.co.uk