With Christmas quickly approaching, it’s impossible to ignore the signs of the season. Twinkling lights radiating through the cold, dark night, upbeat holiday music echoing through every store, and last minute shopping to secure the perfect gifts for family and friends. For many people the holiday hustle and bustle evokes feelings of excitement, but for many others it reverberates through their body with an aching sense of emptiness. Holidays are deeply intertwined with tradition, family, and nostalgia. It’s for this very reason that this time of year can feel so joyful for some, but so painful for others.

When someone has experienced loss, the holiday season brings painful reminders of what’s missing. Traditions and memories that once brought warmth and comfort now sting with the bite of grief. The way that some people navigate the season with such ease exacerbates the feelings of sadness for those going through the season without their loved one/s.

If you are someone that struggles through the holidays, please know that you’re not alone. Be gentle with yourself, prioritize self-care, and lean on your support system. If it feels right for you, honor the memory of the people you’ve lost by taking part in the holiday traditions that remind you of them. If that feels too hard, create new traditions with the loved ones you still have near.

If you’re experiencing holiday blues, support is available. Contact our office by calling or texting 573-200-6775 or emailing office@healingacademymo.com. You don’t have to go through the hard times alone, our counselors are here to listen, care, and help.

Words by Amy Mitchell, LPC at The Healing Academy

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