although it is applicable to your daily life (and not just grief), the number one thing to keep in mind while grieving is to acknowledge your feelings and never ever dismiss them. during the holidays, you may experience both sides of the coin: sadness and happiness, or anger, and relief. and that is okay. your emotions are valid.
with that being said, here are some tips to cope with grief during the holidays that have worked for, and i hope they can work for you too:
stay aware of your emotions: talk to trusted friends, family members, or a therapist about your grief, as sharing your feelings can be a powerful way to cope and feel supported. as always, be kind to yourself and remember that all feelings can coexist, and that making new memories does not mean replacing or erasing old ones. i love the phrase: “love isn’t a monopoly.”
don't invalidate: as i stated before, allow yourself to feel whatever you're feeling, whether it's sadness, anger, loneliness, or even nostalgia. don't pressure yourself to feel happy just because it's the holiday season. set realistic expectations for yourself and surround yourself with people who love and support you.
honor who you are missing: incorporate ways to remember your loved one in your holiday traditions. you can share stories about them, create a memorial ornament, light a candle in their honor, or play their favorite music. something i like to do is to volunteer for a cause my loved one cared about.
remember that it is our loss, but it’s heaven’s gain – the person you are missing is looking over you from a better place (and secretly celebrating with you). have a great winter break :)
thank you to these sources for information used in the article: