From the first sight of Halloween decor, the dread begins, The Holidays are coming and I won’t have my loved-one.
With a recent diagnosis, it’s a panic to make the most of what could be your last season together.
To help navigate what can be overwhelming emotions, here are 5 Ways to Ease Grief and Loss During the Holidays from Jane Lowery, M.A., Resident in Counseling with Arlington therapy practice Sarah Moore, LPC:
1. Be open to things looking different this year.
2. There are a lot of events happening now. It’s okay to have JOMO: Joy of Missing Out.
3. Things are going to be different and that’s okay. You being sad about them is also okay.
4. You get to decide how you want to honor the person you’ve lost this year. Some ideas:
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- Playing their favorite music
- Making their treasured holiday recipe
- Wearing their jewelry
- Having an empty chair at the table
- Sharing a toast to them
- Gifting yourself something that they’d pick out for you
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5. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to create a personalized plan to help you through the season.
Jane Lowery, M.A., Resident in Counseling, currently has openings for new clients and offers free 20-minute consultations. She sees clients in-person on Wednesdays and online Monday through Wednesday. Find out more and schedule your consult at sarahmoorelpc.com/about-jane-lowery.