The Idea of the Week
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and likewise, there is no wrong time to grieve. The holidays can magnify the sense of loss and make our loss feel heavier, tender, and more challenging. The pressure to be festive and joyful can be overwhelming. You may feel like withdrawing or isolating, whether it’s to “preserve the holiday cheer” or because everything feels like it takes more effort.
Is your goal for the holidays “to just get through them”? It feels as though you have to brace for the impact of two intense sides: the joyous holiday season and the magnifying loss it brings with it. In this 11-minute video, Jo McRogers from Grief Support That Works shares three concepts to consider as you brace yourself for the holiday season: compartmentalize, give permission, and plan and prepare.
The Practice of the Week
How do we cope with loss during a joyous time? The 8-minute article from Verywell Mind outlines how you can keep the spirit of a loved one alive and honor them during this season, and how to lean into your supports.
We are bringing back an article we shared last year on 28 Ways to Cope with Grief During the Holiday Season and a 4-minute video on How to Cope with Grief this Holiday Season. One coping tip we highlighted is to give yourself permission to feel your feelings as they show up. It is okay to experience sadness in one moment and then feel the holiday cheer in the next. You do not need to rush through your grief, resist it, or push it away.
“Resistance to grief increases suffering and can even go as far as to expand it to the point of distorting what the holidays can offer us in the here and now. [… When we resist the grief, it allows] the holidays [to] take on a focus of avoidance, losing the light that they may still offer us.”
– Mark Bigley, LCSW
Stay tuned for the second part of our grief during the holidays series next week, and in the meantime, check out our Facebook or Instagram page!
News of the Week
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The Thought of the Week
Wishing you a peaceful week!
