Today is Father’s Day. For some, it will be a day of celebration. For others, it may feel tender. A day that brings memories to the surface. A reminder of someone who is no longer here. A relationship that was complicated. A father lost to addiction. A husband missed deeply.A family story that didn’t unfold as hoped.
Days like today can stir up many emotions, sometimes all at once.
As I travelled home from London after a day with my kids, I found myself thinking about Father’s Day and the final theme in our June series on Cultivating Happiness: self-appreciation.
I’ll be honest. Self-appreciation doesn’t come naturally to me.
Like many people, I find it much easier to notice what I haven’t done, where I’ve fallen short, or what still needs attention. But today, I paused and reflected on the journey my children and I have travelled since Chris died. My children are adults now. Together, we have navigated grief, change, uncertainty, and some very difficult times.
There were days when I wasn’t sure how we would get through. Days when I felt exhausted. Days when I doubted myself. Days and even weeks, and years when I was gripped by fear.
And yet, somehow, one day at a time, we kept going. As I reflected on that today, I realised something. Perhaps today is a day to offer myself some appreciation, because I showed up.
Because I loved my children the best I could.
Because I kept putting one foot in front of the other.
Because I carried what needed carrying until we could carry it together.
Self-appreciation is not about arrogance. It is not about believing we are better than anyone else. And it is not about ignoring our mistakes. It is about acknowledging our efforts. Recognising our courage. Honouring the ways we continue to show up, especially when life is hard.
So often we reserve appreciation for other people. We thank friends. We acknowledge colleagues. We celebrate the people we love. Yet many of us struggle to offer that same appreciation to ourselves.
What if we did? What if we paused for a moment and recognised the strength it has taken to get here?
The challenges we have survived.
The lessons we have learned.
The ways we have grown.
The care we continue to offer others.
The simple fact that we are still here.
This month we have explored noticing the good, slowing down enough to receive it, and gratitude. Self-appreciation invites us to turn some of that kindness inward. Not to inflate ourselves. Not to pretend life is perfect. But to acknowledge a simple truth:
You have carried things that were heavy. You have faced challenges you never asked for. And somehow, you are still showing up.
That matters.
Take a few moments this week to complete the sentence:
One thing I appreciate about myself is…”
Perhaps it is your kindness. Your perseverance. Your courage. Your willingness to keep trying. Your capacity to love. Your sense of humour. Your honesty. Your resilience.
There are no right answers. And if you find this difficult, you’re not alone. Simply notice what arises. And perhaps ask yourself:
“If someone who loved me deeply was describing me, what might they appreciate?”
In the Blossome Community, we know that self-appreciation can feel uncomfortable, especially for those of us who have spent years caring for others, managing crises, or putting our own needs last. But healing often begins when we learn to offer ourselves some of the kindness, understanding, and appreciation we so freely give to others.
Whether you join us at a self-care activity, a Resourcing Me session, or connect through the Bloom Self-Care Hub, you’ll find people learning to do exactly that. This month we’ve been cultivating happiness together. Perhaps the final invitation is this:
Take a moment to acknowledge yourself. Not for being perfect. But for being human. And for continuing to show up, one day at a time.
Kim Moore is the Founder of Blossome CIC. She lost her husband Chris to alcoholism in 2017. She faced a difficult journey while raising 2 children alone, with her family living on the opposite side of the world. Kim founded the Blossome Community and The Pathway to Peace healing journey so no one would have to feel alone while enduring the trauma of a loved one’s battle with alcoholism or addiction. She is also on a mission to end the generational cycle of alcoholism and addiction in families.
Kim lost her husband to alcohol dependency in 2017. She created the Blossome Community to help others enduring losing a loved one to alcoholism or addiction find a Pathway to Peace so they can let go of guilt/shame and live with self-compassion and joy.
Every Monday morning, start you week on a positive note with a Wonderful Week of Blossoming.
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