It comes around once a year, Mother’s Day, that time those near and dear to you to get to shower you with special experiences, good food, maybe getting to sleep late or not being responsible for cooking, decision making or child care.

To show up in the most vibrant, insightful and caring way for this esteemed role (whether you mother children or in your role nurturing life in any other way) the single most important thing you can do is to fill your own well. Let’s look at some insights and thoughts that jump to the top of my list.

Be true to you. Begin to heighten your awareness to any experiences when you feel don’t represent your true self. Align your actions with your values, especially when mothering.

Ask for help! Mothers often take care of everyone else in their lives but themselves. Begin with making a list of 3 areas where you could really benefit from some help and engage some reliable helpers.

Be compassionate. Having self- compassion is not selfish. Self-compassion can actually reduce feelings of imperfection, shame, guilt, and regret. Where can you extend some generosity, compassion and kindness to yourself?

Less is definitely more. Take a real heartfelt look at areas of your life where less would be more. When we fill up every minute with obligations, commitments, work, play or social engagements, it’s a fast track to feelings of being overwhelmed or just plain empty inside. Create time for doing nothing.

Be a rock star of a role model. Whether its role modelling for your children, a friend or co-worker, practice setting an example by modeling regular self-care. When you empower yourself, you empower others.

Be there for one another. We have too much isolation from one another and not enough time with our tribe. Research has shown that when women get stressed they seek out one another. Instead of waiting for a stressful day to check in with friends, make spending time with friends a regular part of your schedule.

Trust your gut.

Trust your mother bear instincts.

Trust that you always were and will continue to be enough.