As we approached Mothering Sunday here in the UK, I found myself reflecting deeply on what it means to mother—not just our children, but ourselves.

For many of us, “mother” brings to mind care, tenderness, strength, and fierce protection. The ideal mother figure, whether real or imagined, embodies unconditional love. And on this day of honouring motherhood, I wanted to create space for a different kind of celebration—a celebration of self-mothering.

What Does It Mean to Mother Ourselves?

Self-compassion is often described as the act of reparenting—learning to meet our own needs with the care and tenderness we might offer a child or a dear friend. On this Mothering Sunday, I invited our Circle of Practice community to explore this through meditation, by calling in the image or energy of a wise, loving mothering figure.

This figure might be a real person, a memory, an imagined being, a spiritual presence—or even the symbolic warmth of an animal companion. Whoever or whatever arises, the invitation is the same: receive their love.

Why This Matters

Some of us had nurturing mothers. Some did not. Some feel the ache of grief on days like these, missing the presence of a mum who is no longer here—or was never fully able to show up with the love we longed for.

And yet, within each of us, there exists a spark—a tender, powerful capacity—to offer ourselves the same care we may have received… or wished we had.

When we tap into this inner mothering presence, we access something truly profound:

• The part of us that says, “I see you, and I’m so proud of you.”

• The part that whispers, “You’re doing your best, and that is enough.”

• The part that offers comfort without condition and warmth without expectation.

From Receiving to Becoming

In our meditation, we first opened to receiving this nurturing energy. Then, gently and gradually, we turned inward and recognised: these same qualities live within us.

Whether it’s fierce protection or soft tenderness, playful curiosity or unwavering calm—these are not traits we must earn. They are ours. We can mother ourselves in moments of overwhelm, self-doubt, or grief.

You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of love. You already are.

As we rested in this space, I shared a poem—an offering for the part of you that still longs to be held:

There lives a light both soft and strong,
A love that's deep where we belong…

(Watch the meditation replay below)

Whether you are a mother, have a mother, or simply hold nurturing energy within you—you are enough.