Grief During Holidays
Whether you have recently lost someone you love or if it has been many years, the holidays can be extremely hard.
Many of us would much rather stay home than have to go out in the hustle and bustle. Often, the newly bereaved have difficulty with crowds and a lot of noise and stimulation. If you are feeling like this, you may be better off staying home with a good book or doing something you enjoy. You don’t have to go to a dinner just because someone else wants you to. It is sometimes better for our fragile spirits to be peaceful and reflective, than hurried and social.
I am not suggesting that you stay home and cry all day. Just take the time to think about your loved one and do something in their memory. You could write them a letter, look through photo albums, or make their favorite holiday dish. You can take a drive and listen to their favorite album. You may want to visit a place that your loved one enjoyed.
Consider surrounding yourself with a small group of close family or friends instead of trying to please everyone else by attending three dinners in one day. The support of others will help you get through these rough weeks ahead.
Below are several online forums you may find helpful:
http://www.griefhealingdiscussiongroups.com
http://forums.psychcentral.com/grief-loss
Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this season. When everyone else is happy and shopping and you find yourself hardly able to smile, pick up the phone and call a friend, go for a walk or get a massage. Pamper yourself and don’t feel guilty. You deserve it and your loved one would want you to.
For further reading about grief during the holidays, read: The Empty Seat At The Table
I wish each of you a blessed season of cherished memories and new beginnings.
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