When the Holidays Hurt
Why grief feels louder in December—and how to move through it with compassion
Not everyone feels festive in December - and that’s okay.
Grief doesn’t only come from death - it can come from divorce, illness, relationships ending, loss of identity, or life as it once was.
Grief has a way of showing up louder during the holidays, and there is no “right way” to grieve.
If the holidays hurt this year - whether your loss was recent or long ago - You don’t have to carry it alone. Reaching out for support isn’t a weakness; it’s courageous. You don’t owe anyone cheerfulness; you owe yourself care.
Be gentle with yourself this holiday season.
Cherish Smith, an American licensed counsellor, created a gentle framework for navigating grief this season called <<G.I.F.T>>, which offers permission and compassion:
G: Grieve your loss in whatever way it shows up for you.
I: Invite yourself to choose what actually supports you.
F: Free yourself to do the holidays differently if you need to (or not at all).
T: Trust your needs, even if other people don’t understand.
(Source: https://lnkd.in/gPpR5V4e)
