The holidays can certainly stir up a lot of feelings. It’s the one time of the year where many have time to reflect on the ones they’ve lost and the memories they’ve left you behind with. Feeling like you’re alone during that time can hurt the most. You may feel like no one understands or that everyone “thinks” that they do know what’s going on with you. If you’ve lost someone, it’s okay to feel it hit you even harder during the holidays, but trust and know, that you will see a brighter day.
Here are six steps to get through grief during, what many may consider, the most joyous time of the year:
Surround yourself with loving people.
If you’re feeling that empty feeling of a lost one, surrounding yourself with people who love you most is critical. No one can ever replace who you’ve lost but they can certainly fill your heart with love. Call up that cousin that makes you smile every time you see her or that friend that always has an open ear.
Do an activity that makes you happy.
Staying inside and drowning your sorrows will only aid you temporarily. But if you take
up an activity or hobby, you will find that your pain can be channeled through something positive and creative. Soon you will find your mood lighten and even your heart may begin to lift some pain as well.
Commemorate or celebrate the ones you’ve lost.
This may sound hard to do but it will definitely have the biggest reward. Try gathering some family together to have a commemoration ceremony to remember your loved one. Saying a few kind words to reflect on the impact they’ve brought into your life will help you remember the good times you had with them instead of the way you lost them.
Write it out.
Some of us find it hard to talk to other people about how we truly feel. Write it all out in a poem or even in a letter to them. Get out all the things you wished you would’ve said to them, things you wanted them to know or how you felt about them. Once you’re done with it, put it in a safe place where you can always look back on it and think of it as finally making peace with losing them.
Pray for them.
A heavy heart calls for a heavy prayer. When you feel like there’s no one or else to turn to, turn to God. Pray that you find peace and that your loved one is in a better place. It will make your soul and heart feel that much lighter if you truly put it in God’s hands.
Talk to a professional.
Last, but certainly not least. Contact a professional to seek help. If a day of sorrow turns into months, it may be time for someone to step in and check on how you’re feeling.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
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