“Rediscovering Joy: 12 Unexpected Strategies to Embrace the Holidays After Heartbreak”

"Rediscovering Joy: 12 Unexpected Strategies to Embrace the Holidays After Heartbreak"

Grief doesn’t take a holiday, but how you approach this time of year can shape your experience. Give yourself the space to navigate these weeks with intention and kindness. Here are some thoughtful ways to approach the holidays after a loss.

1. Redefine Your Traditions

Side view at group of elegant adult people greeting each other and exchanging gifts while welcoming guests at dinner party indoorsSide view at group of elegant adult people greeting each other and exchanging gifts while welcoming guests at dinner party indoors
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Holidays often come wrapped in traditions, some of which may feel bittersweet or even painful now. You do not have to adhere to the old ways– consider reshaping them to fit your current reality. This could mean tweaking a cherished recipe, choosing a new location for gatherings, or even skipping some customs altogether.

No rulebook dictates how traditions should evolve, so let your heart guide the changes. Sometimes, even small shifts in routines can feel freeing. Traditions exist to serve you, not the other way around, and this is the time to make them work in a way that feels right. We almost always went home for the holidays, but that year, we brought Mom to our house. It made a huge difference.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

thinking Woman staring out of a windowthinking Woman staring out of a window
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Pretending everything can carry on as usual is tempting, but this approach might lead to unnecessary strain. Acknowledge that things are different and give yourself permission to scale back where needed.

That may mean skipping the big dinner or delegating tasks to others, but your mental and emotional well-being comes first. Managing expectations—both yours and other’s—allows you to engage with the holidays in a way that feels sustainable rather than overwhelming.

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