If You Are Grieving, Start Now To Prepare for the Holidays

Navigating the holiday season while grieving can be incredibly challenging. At this time of year, we like to share some ideas to bring comfort, honor your feelings, and create space for moments of peace and cheer. This is the first of two blogs that we hope will give you some tools to help you through.

The time to start is now. Setting your own priorities as family and friends reach out is paramount.

First, acknowledge your feelings about celebrating during the holidays. It’s okay to feel sadness, anger and allow yourself some joy. Grief is complex and all feelings are valid. Give yourself permission to feel these emotions without explanation or guilt.

Secondly, realize that your schedule is in your hands. You don’t have to celebrate the way you always have. Simplify things if you feel overwhelmed or “on show.”  It might be hard, but it is necessary to communicate your needs and limits. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to events that may be hard for you.

When you express how you are feeling, you engage with your support system which is very important. They are here for you and most likely are experiencing their own grief. Sharing your feelings can be very therapeutic. Don’t be shy of reaching out to a counselor, therapist or grief support group if your grief is feeling too difficult to handle alone.

Leading up to the busiest time of the season, prepare by practicing self-care. Prioritize rest and nourish your body with healthy meals. Engage in activities that bring you comfort, like listening to music, walking, or journaling. Take moments to breathe and find stillness when emotions become overwhelming.

Remember, it’s important to be gentle with yourself. The holidays can be bittersweet, and finding even small pockets of joy and peace can be healing.

Our next blog will give you some ideas to help you experience that joy and moments of happiness while you grieve.