Valentine’s Day is often portrayed as a greeting card holiday, with commercials about chocolate, happy couples, and candlelit dinners. For those who are grieving, however, this national holiday can feel like a tsunami of grief rather than a celebration of love. Whether you’ve lost a romantic partner, beloved family member, or dear friend, the feelings
Grieving is an inevitable part of the human experience, but navigating the grieving process can feel overwhelming. During this difficult time, practicing self-care is not only beneficial but essential to easing the burden of loss. Grief can affect every aspect of your well-being, from your physical health to your emotional resilience. While it may feel
What is a Death Anniversary?A death anniversary—sometimes called an angelversary, trauma anniversary, anniversary of loss, or anniversary of death—is the yearly remembrance of the day someone died. These annual anniversaries often bring a surge of emotions, known as anniversary reactions, which may include sadness, longing, or even physical symptoms like fatigue, tension, or anxiety. It’s not
When you’re grieving, the New Year is not about pushing yourself harder; it’s about survival, self-compassion, and creating space for healing. The start of a new year often feels like a blank slate, but when you’re grieving, this “fresh start” can feel like an overwhelming reminder of the life you’ve lost. Traditional New Year’s resolutions—focused on
The At-Home New Year’s Eve Grief Retreat Schedule Is Below. Get The Full Playlist When You Join Awaken Online Grief Support. As the New Year’s Eve countdown ball drops, it may feel as though your grieving heart drops too. While many people welcome the clean slate of the New Year, those of us who lost a loved
The holidays can amplify the ache of grief, but through compassion meditations, you can create a space for healing, self-kindness, and connection—even in the midst of loss.Why It’s Okay Not to Feel Joyful During the HolidaysThe holiday season can amplify the ache of grief. While the world sparkles with festivities, you might feel a stark
Grief during the holidays creates a perfect storm where joyous memories crash against reality and expectations. This emotional clash can be especially tough when the person grieving is a child. Parents and caregivers may wonder how to balance the holiday spirit while honoring the complexity of grief. Supporting a child through holiday grief isn’t about making
The holiday season is often described as a time of joy, but for many bereaved people, it can be a difficult time filled with overwhelming grief. Facing your first Christmas without a loved one is an emotionally challenging time, marked by a combination of feelings—from deep sadness and longing to moments of peace and even
Christmas is a season of memories—both joyful and bittersweet. When you’re grieving the loss of someone special, holiday traditions, festive lights, and family gatherings may shine a spotlight on their absence. While grief can make the holiday season feel heavy, it can also be a meaningful opportunity to honor your loved one and keep their
Holiday grief journal prompts give your heart a safe place to land. They help you honor your loved one, explore your emotions, and find moments of peace—even when the season feels overwhelming. When memories of loved ones, holiday traditions, and the societal pressure to feel “merry” collide, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Grief stirs up complex
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 holidays have a way of magnifying everything—joy, grief, connection, and loneliness. For those of us navigating estranged relationships, it’s a season that often highlights what we’ve lost while challenging us to find strength in what we still have: ourselves. The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, connection, and celebration. But for
Grief during the holidays isn’t about letting go—it’s about learning to tend to your heartache and carry the love forward in a way that honors both your relationship and your memories The winter holiday season without your loved one is a difficult time that no one wants to face, yet many of us must. The traditions,
