The Comforting Mum

Coping Strategies, Emotional Survival & Small Victories

There’s a certain kind of chaos that comes with losing the life you thought you had — the routine, the safety, the plans. For me, that chaos hit like a storm. One day I was holding together a home, trying to be the partner, mother, student, and employee I thought I was supposed to be. The next, I was navigating homelessness with two children and no clear path forward.

What no one tells you is how loud the silence feels when your world falls apart. You’re left trying to be strong for your children, even when your own knees are shaking. But what I’ve learned in this season — this unexpected, heartbreaking, transformative season — is that even when everything feels like it’s crumbling, you can still find your footing.

Here’s how I’ve been coping — not perfectly, but honestly — one day at a time.

1. Let Yourself Feel Everything

There were days I wanted to scream from the inside out. Days where I cried quietly so my kids wouldn’t hear me. But suppressing pain only makes it heavier. So I started giving myself permission to feel — without guilt. Sadness. Anger. Exhaustion. Even a little joy when it showed up unexpectedly. Feeling doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human.

2. Create Mini Routines

When your life feels unstable, routines become your anchor. I started creating tiny rituals just for us — brushing teeth together, morning cuddles, bedtime stories even if we’re not in a “real” bed. These small moments help my girls feel safe. They help me feel capable.

3. Take the Help

I used to hate asking for help. I thought it made me look incapable. But I’ve learned that strength isn’t doing everything on your own — it’s knowing when you need support. Whether it’s from charities, friends, family, or a kind stranger — accept it. You don’t have to carry the weight of your world by yourself.

4. Celebrate Every Win (Even the Tiny Ones)

There are no small victories when you’re in survival mode. A warm meal. Clean clothes. A full night of sleep. Getting to an appointment on time. The first laugh of the day. Every single one counts. I’ve started acknowledging these moments and letting myself feel proud.

5. Talk Kindly to Yourself

I’ve said things to myself that I would never say to another mother. So I’ve started replacing those harsh thoughts with gentler truths. I remind myself daily that I’m doing the best I can. That I am not a failure. That I am showing up, and that alone is brave.

There’s still so much I don’t know about tomorrow. But every day that I choose to keep going — even with shaky hands and tired eyes — I’m laying the foundation for a more stable future. I’m showing my daughters what resilience looks like. Not perfection. Not pretending. But persistence in the face of pain.

I’m finding stability not in perfect outcomes, but in the courage to face each day with honesty, heart, and hope.

Affirmation

Even in the middle of uncertainty, I am grounded in love, strengthened by my resilience, and guided by purpose. I will rise — one step, one breath, one moment at a time.

Signed,

the comforting mum 🤎