Sam Armytage’s Mother’s Day ‘anger’
A tearful Samantha Armytage opens up about the “anger” and grief she experienced before her first Mother’s Day since her mum’s death.
Stellar
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stellar. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage fought back tears while candidly describing the ongoing impact of her mother’s death.
In the latest episode of her new podcast Something To Talk About, the journalist sat down with a clinical psychologist to provide advice and guidance for those - like Armytage - who are mourning a loved one.
An emotional Armytage admitted to Dr Sarah Hughes to feeling “angry” in the lead up to Mother’s Day - the first since her mum Libby passed away in November of last year at the age of 68.
“I was looking through my diary the other day and I saw that Sunday is coming up and it’s Mother’s Day. And I had this little - and I’m ashamed to admit this - I had this little stab of anger. That was my first feeling,” Armytage told Dr Hughes.
“I caught it and I thought, I don’t want to go down that path. Is that normal?”
The clinical psychologist explained that it is very common to experience heightened grief on special occasions in the first year of mourning.
“I think the more firsts that you get hit with, you get so depleted and really run down by it all - it’s so emotionally draining and it probably does feel like you’re in the thick of it all.”
Armytage’s emotions got the better of her as she recounted the month’s since her mother’s death.
“Do you think it gets easier? I’m getting teary just thinking about this,” she confessed.
“People say to me it gets easier. And because it’s the first year, it actually seems to get harder before it - hopefully - gets easier. At what point does it get easier?”
Dr Hughes reassured Armytage that “it definitely does get easier.
“Grief, I don’t know if it ever completely goes away, but it seems to change. In the past, different things like a scent or a song brings these overwhelming feelings of sadness. But at a certain point, it actually brings about a smile instead, and a positive memory.”
In an emotional and honest episode Sam opens up about her first Mother’s Day without her mum Libby, who passed in November of last year at the age of 68.
Clinical Psychologist Dr Sarah Hughes and Sam discuss themes of loss, celebration, grief and also touch on the feelings of people who don’t have a relationship with their mother, or are looking to become a mother. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
More Coverage
Originally published as Sam Armytage’s Mother’s Day ‘anger’
‘Opens your eyes’: Pat Cummins on his mother’s death
As captain of the Australian cricket team, Pat Cummins is used to life in the sporting spotlight. But nothing prepared him for the loss of his true hero – his mother.
Mel Leong reflects on MasterChef exit
The former MasterChef judge opens up about leaving the reality series – and her latest role on the new season of Dessert Masters, as she teases what’s next.