I’m a mom and I’m not afraid to say: I wanted to spend Mother’s Day alone.

There, I said it. I wanted the day to myself. Not with my child, not with my family, not at a crowded brunch surrounded by other mothers pretending this is exactly what they wanted. Just me, myself, and the beautiful sound of absolutely no one asking me for anything.

I recently scrolled past a social media post that struck a chord with me. It simply said, “What we really want for Mother’s Day is to be left alone.” Though humorous in tone, the thousands of likes and comments proved it resonated deeply with mothers everywhere.

And you know what? It’s 100% true.

Society makes us believe that Mother’s Day must consist of family brunches, handmade cards, flowers, and being surrounded by the very people we mother all day, every day.

But what if the most cherished celebration of motherhood isn’t more togetherness, but rather the gift of solitude and rest?

As we navigate Mental Health Awareness Month and Women’s Health Month this May, it’s the perfect time to normalize the truth that wanting time to rest and be alone doesn’t make you a bad mother — it makes you human.

Motherhood is beautiful, but it’s also depleting. It’s a constant giving of yourself — physically, emotionally, mentally. Even the most rewarding aspects of raising children require an output of energy that eventually needs replenishing. Yet, somehow, admitting we need space and rest has become taboo, as if wanting solitude somehow contradicts maternal love.

Let me be clear: It doesn’t.

The desire for alone time isn’t about escaping motherhood or avoiding our children. It’s about remembering that beneath the role of “Mom,” there exists a whole person with needs for rest and restoration that matter. It’s about understanding that while maternal burnout is real, it does not need to be inevitable. Burnout can be preventable.

When I choose to spend part of Mother’s Day alone — indulging in a relaxing facial and reading a book at my favorite rooftop pool with no one asking for snacks — I’m not rejecting my role; I’m sustaining it through deliberate rest.

The research on this is clear. Mothers who prioritize rest and practice self-care, including taking time for themselves, report lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. They have more patience, more emotional bandwidth, and more genuine presence to offer when they are with their children. In other words, taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your kids.

As both Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Awareness Month coincide this May, there’s no better time to reclaim your relationship with yourself through intentional rest.

Here are five ways to nurture your relationship with yourself and reclaim intentional rest:

1. Schedule non-negotiable rest time. Mark it on your calendar like any important appointment. Whether it’s a weekly coffee shop visit or a monthly spa day, treat this time for rest as sacred.
2. Create a morning ritual of quiet before everyone wakes. Even fifteen minutes of restful quiet with a journal and coffee can center you for the day ahead.
3. Take a break from sensory overload. When overwhelm hits, step outside for three minutes. Feel the air on your skin, listen to the ambient sounds, and breathe deeply. This micro-moment can reset your nervous system.
4. Reconnect with a restful pre-motherhood passion. Remember that hobby you loved before you had kids? The one that made you lose track of time and felt restorative? Pick it back up.
5. Start a “done for me” list. Instead of just tracking what you do for others, keep a list of what you’ve done for yourself each day, no matter how small. It kinda holds you accountable.

Taking time for yourself to rest isn’t selfish — it’s necessary preventative healthcare. It’s the mental health equivalent of putting on your own oxygen mask first. Because the truth is, you cannot pour from an empty cup . . . and motherhood requires a lot of pouring.

So, this Mother’s Day season, I’m advocating for a new tradition: The guilt-free break from mothering. Whether it’s an hour, an afternoon, or a full day, claim that time without apology. Tell your family that what you really want isn’t breakfast in bed but a few hours completely alone to rest — and mean it.

Teaching our children that mothers are whole people with needs for rest that matter isn’t just good for us — it’s good for them, too. It shows them what healthy boundaries look like and it demonstrates that love doesn’t require martyrdom. It prepares them for their own adult relationships where balance will be essential.

This May, while we focus on women’s health and mental wellbeing, let’s acknowledge that maternal mental health matters. Wanting time alone to rest doesn’t make you less of a mother — it makes you a better one.

How did you spend Mother’s Day? Did you take time for yourself? In the comments below, tell us about your day — we’d love to hear! It’s not too late to give yourself the gift of solitude and rest. Treat yourself with a little something special at Mahogany.com.