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!