With May on the horizon, a very difficult time of year is approaching for we childless not by choice. Mother’s Day. A day that triggers deep emotion, pain, sadness, and grief for those of us who wanted to have littles but couldn’t. Yes, even though I try to find the bright sides and look at things with a different perspective, Mother’s Day tests my resolve every year… So, when I learned about Infertility Survival Day, I knew I had to share this good thing!
Infertility Survival Day…
Beverly Barna, author of “Infertility Sucks! Keeping it all together when sperm and egg stubbornly remain apart” founded National Infertility Survival Day in 2004. She chose the Sunday before Mother’s Day to celebrate those struggling through infertility, to celebrate who we really are, to turn a negative into a positive, and to finally put the infertile before the fertile.
How about Childless Not By Choice Survival Day?
While I think this is most definitely a good thing, I believe that we should not only celebrate those who have survived infertility, but also those who have survived being childless for other reasons as well. So, while the official name is “Infertility Survival Day,” I view it as “Childless Not By Choice Survival Day.” And I think we childless not by choice should make this Sunday, May 6, 2018 all about us!
How can we do this? Well, for this one day, let’s really and truly focus on all the good things about our lives–about being childless–and let’s do all the things we love to celebrate who we are. Because although we are broken and flawed, that simply makes us real. Plus, we are also brave and strong and beautiful and fierce. Let’s embrace it all and have some fun!
So, here are some ways to celebrate you….
- Grab your fur baby and have lunch al fresco at your favorite restaurant or park
- Take a leisurely stroll while holding hands with your love
- Sleep in, hang out in your PJs, and watch rated-R movies
- Mix up your favorite martini
- Enjoy a delectable chocolate shake
- Buy fresh flowers for yourself
- Soak in a bubble bath while reading a trashy romance
- Cook a fancy dinner and serve it on the fancy plates
- Light some candles, put on some music, and chill
- Go shopping and buy yourself something just because
- Go dancing
- Smile and laugh and enjoy your life just as it is
Better yet, let’s just say Celebrate You Day!
For this one day, let’s forget that life didn’t turn out like we expected. Let’s ignore that Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Let’s not even think about the sad…
Heck, let’s not even call this day “Infertility Survival Day” or “Childless Not By Choice Survival Day.” Let’s just call it “Celebrate You Day” and go do something that makes us happy! For this one day, let’s just be content, totally and completely content…
How are you going to celebrate, fabulous one? Tell us about it in the comments!
Featured Photo: Levi Guzman of StockSnap.io
2 comments
I love that! Celebrate you focuses on the good instead of not so good. Life rarely is perfect, and honestly, we wouldn’t want it to be. Joys, challenges and heartbreak are what God gives us. It’s how you navigate the rough times that shows what you are made of. ❤💚💜
Very well said… And very true.