A gentle guide for anyone hurting this season
The holidays can be a special time. But for many people, they can also be hard. You might miss someone who has passed away. You might feel lonely, overwhelmed, or sad. If this is you, please know this:
👉 You are not broken.
👉 You are not weak.
👉 You are not alone.
Grief is love with nowhere to go, and it shows up strongly during the holidays.
💛 Why the Holidays Can Feel Hard
The holiday season often brings:
🌟 Memories of people who are gone
🌟 Pressure to be “happy” all the time
🌟 Big gatherings that feel painful or tiring
🌟 Traditions that remind you of what’s changed
Your feelings make sense. Grief does not follow a calendar.
🌿 Helpful Tips to Support Yourself
1. Let yourself feel what you feel
It’s okay to be sad.
It’s okay to cry.
It’s okay to laugh, too.
All feelings are allowed. There is no “right” way to grieve.
2. Choose what you can handle
You do not need to go to every event.
You do not need to smile if you don’t want to.
Give yourself permission to say:
“I can only stay for a short time.”
“I need a quiet day.”
“I’m not up for that this year.”
3. Create a small moment of comfort
Try something that helps your body calm down:
🌟 Take a warm shower
🌟 Light a soft candle
🌟 Make a warm drink
🌟 Wrap up in a blanket
🌟 Step outside for fresh air
Even one small calming moment can help your brain settle.
4. Honor the person you miss
Many people feel better when they add a tiny memory ritual, like:
🌟 Lighting a candle for them
🌟 Hanging an ornament in their honor
🌟 Playing their favorite song
🌟 Sharing a story about them
You don’t have to do anything big. Even a quiet moment counts.
5. Ask for support when you need it
You’re not meant to do grief alone.
You can talk to:
🌟 A friend or family member
🌟 A counsellor or psychologist
🌟 A support group
🌟 Someone who understands loss
Reaching out is strength, not weakness.
💬 Gentle Reminders for the Season
Your grief is real.
Your love is real.
You are doing the best you can.
Healing is slow and that’s okay.
You are allowed to take care of yourself.
🧡 A Final Note
If the holidays feel heavy this year, please remember:
You deserve kindness. You deserve care. You deserve space to heal.
There is no timeline for grief. There is only your heart doing its best to carry something very important.
This season, choose you. Your peace matters. Your rest matters. You matter.
