November marks the start of the Holiday season, a time that can feel emotionally heavy and add additional stress. When walking through grief, the holidays can magnify feelings of loneliness and pain, especially as the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder. In this season, it’s important that we are mindful of our well-being and take small steps to cultivate joy and gratitude.
Practice Simple Gratitudes Daily
Like anything, gratitude takes practice. A small exercise to practice daily is naming three things you are grateful for. These can be very simple and practical things, such as your breakfast that morning, a sunny walk, or a kind word from a friend. When healing from a devastating loss, grief can come in waves, making some days manageable while other days the pain can feel all-consuming. It may be difficult to find things to appreciate on hard days, but even a small gratitude can help shift your mindset. Acknowledging everyday blessings can remind you of the existing joys in your life and train your brain to look at the world through a new lens. Keep in mind, no one’s grief journey is the same, and give yourself grace to be present in the emotions you are experiencing.
Process Your Grief Through Sharing
Sharing your grief doesn’t always mean physically talking through your grief. While talking is helpful, sharing your grief could also mean taking intentional time to be present with your emotions through journaling, artwork, or song. Writing a letter of gratitude to a passed loved one, painting a scene that fills you with gratitude from a shared memory, or singing a song that brings you joy, can be powerful ways to reflect on the cherished memory of your loved one. These activities are deliberate acts that focus your gratitude into a tangible form, helping you process and heal by sharing.
The holidays may feel like an intimidating time to bring up or reflect on loss. It may feel easier to push it down and distract yourself, but you must give yourself permission to express it. Holding in your grief will only make this season more difficult. Begin by leaning on loved ones and sharing your feelings, or seek the help of a therapist or grief counselor. If you choose to write in a journal or create something physical, consider asking a loved one to participate with you and share the memorial activity.
Create Opportunities For Gratitude
The holidays are often accompanied by traditions or memories you shared with your passed loved one. At Gerst, we encourage you to create new traditions, modify old ones, and discover new ways to celebrate this season. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year can stretch your emotional capacity, especially when visiting family and friends or dealing with a busy schedule. Give yourself permission to stay home if you need, or give yourself permission to switch things up. By surrounding yourself with loved ones and new experiences during this time, you create new opportunities and moments for gratitude.
Support At Gerst
At Gerst, we’re here to provide ongoing support for every step of the grieving process. From preplanning to ease the burden for your loved ones to support in funeral arrangements, and resources to help you process and cope with your grief. Remember that no grief journey is the same and that where you are today is okay. Partner with Gerst on this next chapter of your life, and let us help you take steps towards healing and self-compassion.