The holiday season often brings a mix of emotions, but for those grieving, it can feel especially overwhelming. Traditions, celebrations, and expectations can highlight the absence of someone you love, making the season feel heavier instead of joyful. You may notice sudden waves of sadness, irritability, or fatigue. You might feel disconnected from others or uncertain about how to participate in holiday gatherings. All of this is a normal part of grieving.

Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. It doesn’t pause for holidays, and it often shows up in unexpected ways. You may find comfort in familiar rituals, or you may feel the need to change things this year. You might seek connection, or you might crave solitude. There is no “right” way to move through this season—only the way that feels most supportive to you.

As you navigate the holidays:

• Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, without comparing your grief to anyone else’s.

• Set boundaries around events, traditions, or conversations that are too painful.

• Create new rituals that honor your loved one—lighting a candle, sharing stories, or finding moments of quiet reflection.

• Lean on your support system when you need to, and take space when you don’t.

If you’re looking for guidance, comfort, or ways to better understand your own grief, we offer a free grief course designed to support you at your own pace. It includes gentle education, tools for coping, and resources to help you move through the season with more steadiness and compassion.