The holidays can usher in deep sadness and grief that sits differently in your heart than it does other times of the year.
For many, it’s not a merry or bright season.
Maybe it’s the empty seat at the table because someone you love has died or a relationship has ended. Maybe there’s addiction or mental illness that leaves you guessing how someone will, or won’t, show up. Maybe time doesn’t allow for you to be with the ones you love this year. Maybe illness is present. Maybe you have strained and tension filled relationships because of differences in values or politics?
It could be a myriad of things bringing to the surface sadness, angst, fear and grief as you’re heading into the holidays.
Unresolved grief affects your ability to stay in the moment, which limits your capacity for happiness. During the holidays it might limit your ability to fully enjoy time with your friends and family. Some people avoid holidays altogether because they don’t want to risk the feelings associated with painful reminders of their loss. Until you become complete with the losses in your life you will never be able to fully enjoy all life has to offer.
If any of that rings true for you, now could be a great time to engage in the process of grief recovery work. This 7 week, proven process, will help you to walk through the hurt that you’re holding so you can leave the deep pain behind. It is possible to hold both joy and sorrow. Life is always full of both. But if the sorrow and grief is overwhelming the ability to also feel the joy, this could be a great step in the direction of regaining balance and thriving.
My hope is that if you’re feeling heavy hearted this holiday, you’ll be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. You don’t need to be fixed, you need to be heard and held. Acknowledge where you’re at, give grace to the hurt places and when you’re ready, enter into the process of grief recovery work. Your heart will thank you. It doesn’t mean there won’t be sadness, it means that it won’t always sink you.