Five ways to honor your grief during the holidays

“It’s so hard to accept everything that’s happened in the last few years!”

“2020 feels like a lifetime ago.”

“How is it almost 2026 already?”

We hear these things repeated by colleagues, friends, family members, and folks in the grocery store checkout line. Did you know they are just a few expressions of grief? Grief is considered a deep sorrow, often for someone’s death, but it can apply to so many other personal, professional, communal, and global losses we experience, too.

Another definition of grief is “trouble or annoyance.” This is no coincidence, as grief often feels like a hindrance, a personal fault, or just troubling in its own right. Living with grief is not easy, but we all do it, every day. With the news constantly flooding our feeds, it’s no wonder the world is in a state of grief.

In the winter months, grief often rears its head. The combination of less sunlight, staying indoors, the pressure that can come from the holidays and family time, increased workload, and anniversaries of loved ones’ deaths or just their memory can compound as another year closes.

So what can we do to manage and even embrace grief, rather than try to combat it?

• Recognize it. Acknowledging grief and its presence in our lives, rather than avoiding it, can bring comfort and healing. Doing so also helps us reconnect with ourselves — and with the love that is at the heart of every loss

• Name it. Identify the source of your grief and give yourself space to express and honor it, such as through journaling or texting with a friend.
• Make new traditions. Developing fresh customs and rituals in the winter months for yourself, your loved ones, or your community can help foster a sense of meaning and connection.
• Maintain routines. Embrace your grief while continuing to do the things that bring you joy.
• Plan for the end of life. Talking to your loved ones and documenting your wishes can help alleviate potential stress and anxiety surrounding your healthcare and end-of-life experience. Get started with the Compassion & Choices End-of-Life Decision Guide & Toolkit.