The holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, can be one of the hardest times of the year for those who are grieving. The absence of a loved one feels sharper when we gather around the table, filling seats with family and friends, while the one we miss is simply… missing. Thanksgiving, with all its emphasis on gratitude
Journaling through grief can feel intimidating, especially when you’re not sure where to start. Trust me, I get it—sitting down with a blank page can be tough when emotions are painfully raw. But having a gentle structure, like these prompts, can make it easier to begin. Each writing prompt is designed to help you explore
Our ability to feel loss deeply, be it the death of a loved one or a significant non-death loss like the end of a relationship or a big life change, shows we’re engaged in the full spectrum of human experiences. It proves we’re alive and fully invested in our relationships and passions. So feeling the
The key to a calm, connected holiday season lies in clear, compassionate communication. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re pathways to peace and understanding. In a previous article, we shared 7 Tips to Cope with Difficult People and Holiday Grief, which offers practical strategies for navigating family gatherings and handling challenging personalities. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into
Grieving a Complicated Relationship vs. Complicated GriefThe grief that follows a complicated relationship and what we call complicated grief (now clinically termed Prolonged Grief Disorder) are two distinct experiences, though they may overlap. Grieving a complicated relationship involves mourning someone with whom we had mixed or ambivalent feelings—perhaps there was love alongside pain, connection mixed with
For those grieving, the winter holidays—from Thanksgiving through Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s—can bring mixed emotions. Honoring your needs during this time is important in finding resilience and meaning, even while mourning. A balanced approach that combines coping skills for managing sudden triggers and planned self-care for deeper emotional restoration can help support you
As many of us in the U.S. navigate the current climate of election season, anxiety can run high, adding to the emotional weight of grief. The uncertainty, tension, and heightened emotions surrounding political events can amplify existing feelings of loss and stress. It’s more important than ever to prioritize tending to yourself during this time. Remember, your
I have been divorced now for over two years. And as I approach what would have been my 12th anniversary on October 31, 2024, I finally feel ready to talk about divorce loss in a public way. As an expert in the field of death-related grief, I know academically there are similarities and differences between
In grief, life can feel out of control. But one thing I have found is that creating small moments of warmth and comfort is a form of agency. It’s an act of self-compassion, a reminder that even when you cannot control what’s happening around you, you can still tend to your needs. Hygge is about embracing this concept—tuning into your senses, creating a safe, cozy environment, and allowing yourself to slow down.
Embracing our grief journey is like walking through a garden of memories—each step uncovers both the shadows of loss and the light of growth. In acknowledging every petal and thorn, we learn to hold our grief with gentle strength and find resilience in the most unexpected places. Grief is a journey often marked by milestones of
Grief changes the holiday landscape, but it doesn’t have to dictate it. With compassionate planning, we can find a way to honor both our loss and ourselves during this season. The holiday season is often heralded as a time of joy and togetherness, but when you’re grieving, it can transform into a stretch of weeks filled
Why a Grief Support Group Can HelpGrief is something we’re all wired to experience, and while it’s natural, that doesn’t make it any easier. Both experts and everyday people will tell you that social support is key to finding your way through loss. But what do you do when that support isn’t readily available? Many
The first Thanksgiving without your loved one may feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. What once may have been a favorite time of year now amplifies your difficult feelings, leaving you wondering how you will cope with grief during the holidays. While time may soften the edges of grief, it’s natural to miss them not only on
