3 Steps to Handle the Emotional Upheaval of Father’s Day

The emotional upheaval of Father’s Day may take you by surprise. Here are three steps to handle the emotional upheaval of Father’s Day.

The first step is to work through the emotional upheaval.

To know the origin of the emotional pain is not enough. You and I need to work through the pain. You and I can’t walk around it or pretend it doesn’t exist. Nanette said, “I know where the emotional upheaval originates. Dad worked endless hours every day.”

After a minute or two of silence, she stared out the window and said, “He never made time for me. Why didn’t he show up for my sports events and tell me he loved me?” Nanette shrugged and said, “I see no reason to celebrate Father’s Day.”

You may feel like Nanette. You don’t want to celebrate Father’s Day either. However, for your own well-being, you can work through the emotional upheaval with a professional counselor, a mentor, an accountability partner, or a spiritual director.

Once you’ve worked through the first step, you can move on to the next one.

The second step is to make an alternate plan for Father’s Day.

Many churches celebrate Father’s Day with a special message and decorations. Daddy passed away a little over a year ago. The sight of daughters with their fathers or someone taking pictures of them at the Father-Daughter Breakfast would trigger the emotional upheaval of Father’s Day.

Instead I do something special at home. If the weather is nice, I can go to the beach for the day. My friend Lizzie enjoys knitting and spends the weekend watching movies as she knits Christmas and birthday gifts.

You can come up with an alternate plan for yourself. If you don’t like to go the beach or watch movies and knit,  feel free to select one of your favorite hobbies or interests.

Let’s move on to the last step.

The third step to handle the emotional upheaval of Father’s Day is to help someone else going through it.

As a licensed professional counselor, I worked with clients who could relapse on alcohol or other drugs to self-medicate. I would help them in a session or two to handle the triggers.

In my work as a speaking and writing coach, I facilitate a session on “Writing to Heal” and one on “Writing about Trauma,” In either individual or small groups, I help the clients handle the emotional triggers.

I encourage you to think of an individual that you could help.

For other ideas on getting through Father’s Day, you can read https://www.yvonneortega.com/when-fathers-day-is-difficult-what-do-you-do/

Psalm 25:5: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

Prayer: God, I’m sick of dancing around the truth of my emotional upheaval. Please help me. Amen.

Call to Action: If you would like a complimentary discover session, call me at 757-529-1222.

Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega June 10, 2019