{"id":4784,"date":"2021-12-02T07:32:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T13:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/?p=4784"},"modified":"2025-07-08T19:04:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T00:04:34","slug":"holiday-grief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativesolutionsonline.org\/rebuild-csbh-sit\/holiday-grief\/","title":{"rendered":"Coping with Grief During the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Coping<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n


The holidays are supposed to be a time filled with joy, laughter, and excitement. But, if you\u2019re experiencing a loss around any holiday, it\u2019s difficult to feel that kind of joy that those around you might be sharing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grief around the holidays isn\u2019t uncommon. Maybe you recently lost someone you loved. Or, maybe you lost them years ago but you\u2019re reminded of that every holiday season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grief doesn\u2019t even need to be connected to the loss of a person. Thanks to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been experiencing loss in many ways. Maybe you lost your job this year, or aren\u2019t able to get together with your family because some of them are at a greater risk of getting sick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Whatever the case, it\u2019s important to know how to manage the things that trigger your grief around the holiday season. Additionally, you shouldn\u2019t feel guilt over your own emotions or struggles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, let\u2019s talk about how you can cope with your holiday grief and find some peace this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand the Grief Healing Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Holiday<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grief is a normal part of healing. It includes accepting what happened in order to work through it and eventually make room for a full range of life experiences again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without the process of grief, it\u2019s more likely that you\u2019ll remain stuck over your loss, which can be harmful to your emotional wellbeing. In an effort not to feel the pain of grief, you run the risk of becoming somewhat blunted to feeling all of your emotions, even positive ones. So, even if you don\u2019t feel happy around the holidays, don\u2019t feel guilty about your own process of grief. By this time next year, you may be in a completely different place with how you cope.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Unnecessary Triggers By Setting Boundaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The holidays tend to be a busy time for everyone. Between family get-togethers, parties, and other obligations, it\u2019s easy to feel overwhelmed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During those overwhelming moments, you might feel that loss even more. Now isn\u2019t the time to burn yourself out. That\u2019s especially true if you\u2019re committing to things out of obligation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you shouldn\u2019t stay locked up inside all the time, don\u2019t allow yourself to get overwhelmed with all of the happenings of the holidays, either. It\u2019s important to give yourself space and time to rest. If a particular event brings up painful memories, you can decide to go and allow room for a bittersweet experience, or you may choose not to go this time. Again, give yourself time to get through your grief process before assuming things should be \u201cback to normal\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Develop New Holiday Traditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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While you will never forget the loss you experienced, it\u2019s okay to honor that memory while creating new holiday traditions, as well. Starting something new can give you things to look forward to every year without having to deal with such painful memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can alter traditions that have already been in place in such a way that isn\u2019t as triggering. Some traditions can (and should) stay in place as a way to always remember what was lost. But, they shouldn\u2019t remain there as a symbol of pain and suffering. So, don\u2019t be afraid to mix the old with the new in a way that allows you to enjoy the holidays again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to Someone Who Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re still feeling overwhelmed with grief around the holidays, one of the best things you can do is to talk to a professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You shouldn\u2019t feel guilty about your grief. Everyone knows you\u2019re not trying to bring down the mood or \u201cruin\u201d the holidays. But, one thing you can do is to focus on what\u2019s in your control. You can learn to better manage your triggers and how to get through the grief process by talking with a therapist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In doing so, you\u2019ll be able to discover more of the underlying issues of your grief, and how to get through them. You will absolutely be able to enjoy the holidays again.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know how stressful and demanding it can be to make changes in your life, but you don\u2019t have to figure it out on your own.   Some of the benefits of individual therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n