The holidays can be difficult for those who recently lost a loved one or for those who are missing a loved one during the holidays. No one’s grief is the same, but there are ways to make the holidays a little easier. Here are a few strategies that may help you through your holiday grief.
- Avoid setting expectations for yourself. Just be kind to yourself and don’t judge your grief with others.
- Take in the moment. Instead of looking at all the holidays you have to face, look at today and then tomorrow.
- View the holidays as a time to have additional support.
- Avoid the perspective that the holidays are going to be miserable. Be open to the idea that the holidays may bring some happiness. And being happy is okay, even if you are missing someone.
- If your loss is recent, you may still be experiencing shock and numbness. Many people go into a survival-type mode to get through the holidays. No worries. This is a natural reaction to loss. Others will likely step in and ensure the holiday tasks get done. If not, ask for help.
- Maybe you don’t feel up to participating in the holidays. If that is what you decide that is okay. But, it may help to keep on with the family traditions that your loved one’s memory can live on through.
- Changing the way you celebrate the holidays may be needed. Instead of having a holiday dinner around the table, go out to eat.
- Give yourself time and love. Be gentle with yourself and do what you need. Express what you need. And don’t do anything that you are not comfortable with.
Grief is just love with no place to go. –Jamie Anderson
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