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 can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, pulling you between heartache and moments of bittersweet memory. But each holiday you face gives you a chance to learn, grow, and prepare for what’s next. It’s not about making it perfect—it’s about finding ways to honor your emotions while creating space for love. If you
Every holiday season, I work with my clients to create strategies for reducing holiday anxiety and navigating this emotionally charged time of year. But even with the best plan in your back pocket, it’s natural to feel “tipped over” at times. Grief is a natural reaction to loss, and it doesn’t always follow a schedule—feelings
Deciding not to attend holiday events while grieving isn’t about saying no to people you care about—it’s about saying yes to what you need to heal. I am not Emily Post. And grief is not finishing school. But having a framework for saying no to holiday events that honors your grieving heart is a superpower that
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 holiday season can be hard when you’re grieving, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re definitely not alone. I created Awaken Grief Support Program because I know what it’s like to face the holidays carrying the weight of loss—my first loss happened just before Thanksgiving and forever changed my family. Since then, supporting others through this season
When someone we love dies it is not uncommon to have moments where we expect them to return to us. We absentmindedly set the table for two, or pick up the ringing phone and expect it to be their voice on the other end of the line. While not everyone who grieves will experience this magical thinking, it may help to know that it is normal, at least for a period of time.