How to cope with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season
The holiday season adds a whole other layer to grief. Whether or not you acknowledge any of the many traditions and holidays stuffed into these last two months, you can’t help but be affected by them.
I spoke with a journalist at INSIDER about ways to make the holiday season more bearable and, if you do feel like celebrating, ways you can incorporate the person’s memory into the holidays.
The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are grieving.
Whether the person who died was old, young, or not yet born, whether their death was sudden or a slow decline, whether they died recently or years ago, the season’s emphasis on family, togetherness, and joy can painfully underscore who’s missing from the celebrations.
However, numerous invitations to festive events can also feel dissonant and overwhelming when you’re grieving. Megan Devine, psychotherapist, grief advocate, and author of “It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand,” says it’s okay to politely decline.
It's important to remember that you don't have to defend your reasons for not wanting to participate, said Megan Devine. It is enough to say, 'I don't have it in me this year to attend, but I appreciate the invitation.' Click To TweetClick here to read the rest of the article at INSIDER. And let us know about what this time of year is like for you.
How about you? How are you caring for yourself during this relentless holiday season? Let us know in the comments. Not only do I like to hear from you, but others in the community can use your ideas!
