Have the holidays come barreling in on you uninvited? Do you have half a notion to lock your doors and pull the covers over your head for a couple of months? Don’t they seem to be upon us sooner every year? As I was out shopping the old-fashioned brick and mortar way in October, I was surprised once again, to see the Christmas decorations already going up. I’m okay with the holiday music beginning early. It usually lightens my spirit as I go about my work, and I even start listening to it fairly early compared with a lot of folks. But that initial light-hearted excitement can very quickly become exhausted and overwhelmed, especially if you are dealing with loss during the holiday season.
Are you having a difficult time coming up with something specific you’re thankful for this year? Is it an uphill struggle to make plans for your Thanksgiving celebration? Is that one dish you need to bring weighing you down, or have you always made the BIG meal and you just can't seem to begin the planning? The holiday doldrums, we’ll call them, can creep in unannounced, and there are any number of life losses that can bring them on. These losses include divorce and death, but they can also be a move, loss of health, loss of job and estrangement. Loss and grief are about all the human emotions caused when everything we’re familiar with changes for some reason or another. Even “good” changes, like a move due to an exciting job promotion, can bring emotions of grief.
So, how do we move through the holidays with gratefulness and “cheer” if we’re just not feeling it this year?
The most important truth to realize is, if you’ve experienced a loss, you are going through normal human emotions due to grief. If you find you’re just not feeling like your usual self, don’t be too hard on yourself or fret you'll never feel like yourself again. Don't completely isolate, but feel free, and be prepared, to leave an event early if you need to. Talk to someone you trust about your memories and feelings. Let them know you’d just like them to listen, especially if someone you’re close to asks how they can help. Tell them you’re not looking for any answers, any fixing. You just need them to listen and be with you. It’s okay to laugh together as your memories stumble upon funny moments. It won’t dishonor your loved one if you have a healthy, honest conversation. And it will do wonders for you!
If you’re sensing you’d like more insight into dealing with loss and grief during the holidays, and you need that extra lift to even begin to get those cookies made, I’d like to invite you to a FREE seminar on Thursday, December 5th at 6pm. We’ll have some refreshments and meet for an hour at The Grief and Wellness Group offices at 7790 N Oracle Road, Suite 140 (behind Pella Windows). You must reserve your spot, so please call 520-405-6774 or email kim.worcester@gmail.com as seating is limited.
Are you having a difficult time coming up with something specific you’re thankful for this year? Is it an uphill struggle to make plans for your Thanksgiving celebration? Is that one dish you need to bring weighing you down, or have you always made the BIG meal and you just can't seem to begin the planning? The holiday doldrums, we’ll call them, can creep in unannounced, and there are any number of life losses that can bring them on. These losses include divorce and death, but they can also be a move, loss of health, loss of job and estrangement. Loss and grief are about all the human emotions caused when everything we’re familiar with changes for some reason or another. Even “good” changes, like a move due to an exciting job promotion, can bring emotions of grief.
So, how do we move through the holidays with gratefulness and “cheer” if we’re just not feeling it this year?
The most important truth to realize is, if you’ve experienced a loss, you are going through normal human emotions due to grief. If you find you’re just not feeling like your usual self, don’t be too hard on yourself or fret you'll never feel like yourself again. Don't completely isolate, but feel free, and be prepared, to leave an event early if you need to. Talk to someone you trust about your memories and feelings. Let them know you’d just like them to listen, especially if someone you’re close to asks how they can help. Tell them you’re not looking for any answers, any fixing. You just need them to listen and be with you. It’s okay to laugh together as your memories stumble upon funny moments. It won’t dishonor your loved one if you have a healthy, honest conversation. And it will do wonders for you!
If you’re sensing you’d like more insight into dealing with loss and grief during the holidays, and you need that extra lift to even begin to get those cookies made, I’d like to invite you to a FREE seminar on Thursday, December 5th at 6pm. We’ll have some refreshments and meet for an hour at The Grief and Wellness Group offices at 7790 N Oracle Road, Suite 140 (behind Pella Windows). You must reserve your spot, so please call 520-405-6774 or email kim.worcester@gmail.com as seating is limited.
Kim Worcester
Grief Recovery Specialist
The Grief & Wellness Group
kim.worcester@gmail.com
Kim has walked through the separation from her birth family for seventeen years of her childhood and the loss of innocence that abuse brings. With her B.A. in Communications and a huge heart for those who are hurting, Kim has a desire to help guide others to move beyond loss to grief recovery.
Grief Recovery Specialist
The Grief & Wellness Group
kim.worcester@gmail.com
Kim has walked through the separation from her birth family for seventeen years of her childhood and the loss of innocence that abuse brings. With her B.A. in Communications and a huge heart for those who are hurting, Kim has a desire to help guide others to move beyond loss to grief recovery.
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