Christmas, in its essence, is a time of reflection and connection. As you navigate your first without a loved one, consider embrace it as a journey of learning, self-compassion, and gentle rediscovery. As the holiday season unfolds, the joy and festivities can often be tinged with a profound sense of loss, especially if you’re experiencing your
Grief during the holidays serves up a perfect storm where joyous memories crash against reality and expectations, something that is especially tough when it’s a child who’s grieving. I know this firsthand. On October 18, 1977, my uncle Doug died by suicide. I was 7 years old. While I don’t remember the specifics of the Thanksgiving
Even if Thanksgiving felt like a disaster, it holds valuable lessons for us. As we approach Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, we can use these experiences as a source of wisdom. Remember, navigating the holidays while grieving is all about trial and error. It’s through these trials that we discover what truly works for us, carving
In the thick of grief during the holidays, let’s cherish connection over perfection, embracing each moment as it comes with compassion for our selves and others. As the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves swept up in a whirlwind of traditions and expectations. In my own childhood, holidays were marked by an almost competitive pursuit
Grief changes the holiday landscape, but it doesn’t have to dictate it. With compassionate planning, we can find a way to honor both our loss and ourselves during this season. The holiday season is often heralded as a time of joy and togetherness, but when you’re grieving, it can transform into a stretch of weeks filled
Grief rewrites our address book, as the saying goes, and the holidays can really underscore the difficulties in our relationships. While it is helpful to try to surround yourself with emotionally safe people this holiday season, the reality is you will likely wind up face to face with difficult people who push your buttons. Whether it
The first Thanksgiving without your loved one probably has you feeling anxious, but you are not alone. What once may have been a favorite time of year now raises difficult feelings about how to cope with grief during the holidays. Because it is the first “winter holiday,” the weeks before Thanksgiving seem to kick-off the season
For many of us, the fall season carries the heavy symbolism of death and endings. The leaves change and fall, mirroring the sense of loss that already weighs on our hearts. It’s a time when grief can become almost tangible, mingling with the very air we breathe. Yet, in recognizing this, we also find a
