Hospice Care Plus’ Post

Struggling to feel thankful this Thanksgiving? Grief can make the holidays especially tough. Here are 5 ways to navigate grief during Thanksgiving and take care of your emotional well-being. 🌿💛 #GriefSupport #ThanksgivingAndGrief #SelfCompassion https://lnkd.in/egyQW7Us

Struggling to feel thankful this Thanksgiving? Grief can make the holidays especially tough. Here are 5 ways to navigate grief during Thanksgiving and take care of your emotional well-being. 🌿💛 #GriefSupport #ThanksgivingAndGrief #SelfCompassion https://lnkd.in/ef9XZYSe

🍁 A Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude and Support 🍁 "Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives, but for some, it’s also a time when grief and loss feel especially heavy. 💔 Today, let’s hold space for those who are missing loved ones, navigating challenges, or feeling the weight of loneliness. If that’s you, know this: your feelings are valid, and you are not alone. May you find moments of peace and comfort in the love of others and in the quiet blessings that surround you. For those of us who can, let’s extend a hand of kindness. A simple call, a warm hug, or a thoughtful gesture can be a lifeline for someone struggling during the holidays. Gratitude and compassion go hand in hand. As we give thanks, let’s also give love. Together, we can make this season a little brighter for everyone. 🧡 What are you thankful for this year? Let’s fill the comments with gratitude and encouragement. 🙏 #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #SupportEachOther #KindnessMatters

💔 The holidays have a way of amplifying absence. For many of us, the holiday season is a time of joy, family traditions, and togetherness. But when you’ve lost someone you love, even years ago, the season can feel heavier. I still remember my first Christmas without my grandmother. She was the glue that held our family together—the one who made every gathering feel warm and full of life. That year, everything felt different. The laughter wasn’t the same, the traditions felt incomplete, and her absence was impossible to ignore. Grief doesn’t have an expiration date. Even if the loss wasn’t recent, the holidays have a way of bringing it back to the surface. Familiar songs, sights, or traditions can serve as bittersweet reminders of what once was, and what can never be the same again. If you’re feeling this way, know that it’s okay to not feel “cheerful” all the time. It’s okay to miss someone deeply and still try to find moments of joy. The two can coexist. This year, I wrote about how we can navigate these feelings during the holidays—not by ignoring them, but by honoring our loved ones and finding new ways to celebrate. 📖 If you’d like to read it, here’s the link: https://lnkd.in/gwCFm_qc. To those of you missing someone this season: you’re not alone. Let’s be gentle with ourselves and each other, allowing space for both grief and joy to exist. 💬 Have you found meaningful ways to honor your loved ones during the holidays? I’d love to hear how you’ve navigated these moments. #Grief #HolidaysAfterLoss #MentalHealthAwareness #EmpathyMatters #HealingTogether

The holiday season is in full swing. As soon as the Halloween decorations were removed, some homes in my neighborhood went straight to the Christmas decorations. Yikes. Now. everywhere you turn there are ads, commercials, postings, decorations and reminders to get into the holiday spirit. However, as those of you in the US plan to gather with friends and/or family on Thanksgiving you feel a bit unsettled. You aren’t happy or sad. You’re in that melancholy, limbo place. You have a hard time finding the energy to do anything. You feel bad when you laugh because it feels like a betrayal. You hide your sadness because you don’t want anyone else to feel bad. And you’re tired of people telling you that you should be over it already. Geez! What is wrong with you?! In all honesty, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re human. If you're dealing with grief, no matter what or how long it's been since it happened, emotions will come to the surface during the holidays. You can’t change what has happened or how you feel. It’s OK to feel your true feelings. Those feelings just want to be felt. When you set them free, you free yourself. Yeah, it sounds easy but you’re not sure how to do it. I know first-hand how challenging this time of year is for those who have experienced loss. It’s been more than forty years since my first husband died and I still get twinges of sadness. In spite of that, I've also been able to experience the joy of the season. You want that too. You want to get through the remainder of the year without falling apart. You want to feel that holiday cheer. To help you find that, I've created a simple yet powerful free workshop to help you get the clarity and guidance you crave - Navigating Your Grief Through the Holidays, Tuesday, November 26th at 2:00 pm, Pacific (5:00 pm, Eastern) If you're feeling uncertain and lost, you owe it to yourself to click the link and register. https://lnkd.in/g3SBJcAi Discover how you can experience joy alongside your pain.

Grief and Gratitude at Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is often described as a time to count our blessings, but what happens when our hearts are carrying the weight of loss? Grief has a way of blending into every aspect of the holidays. The memories of past celebrations, the traditions that feel incomplete, the people we long for—it all comes to the surface. And yet, even amidst that pain, there can be space for gratitude. For those navigating grief this Thanksgiving: - It’s okay to feel overwhelmed - It’s okay to take care of yourself in the way you need. - It’s okay to share your story—you never know who might feel less alone because of it. May we all hold space for both grief and gratitude this season. May you feel gratitude that those who are no longer with you graced your life with their presence. #thanksgiving #gratitude #grief

Grief can manifest in many different ways personally and professionally. Grief is not only about losing a loved one, we can grieve the loss of a job, a relationship, health, financial security and more. Here is a helpful article on how to navigate grief during Thanksgiving. Quick Summary of Suggestions: 1. Acknowledge your feelings 2. Practice Self-Compassion 3. Set Boundaries 4. Create new rituals and traditions 5. Reach out for support (friends, family and professional support) Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving!

For those that are grieving or supporting those that are grieving: Thanksgiving can be a bittersweet time, especially when you’re navigating the complexities of grief. It’s a moment filled with tradition, warmth, and connection—but it can also be a reminder of those who are no longer with us. At times like these, it's important to honor both your feelings and the spirit of the season. Here are some gentle ways to embrace Thanksgiving while grieving. Create a Memory Space Set up a small area at your gathering where family and friends can share memories of your loved one. This could include photos, letters, or favorite mementos. Allowing this space can bring comfort and spark meaningful conversations. Acknowledge Your Emotions It’s perfectly okay to feel a mix of emotions during the holiday. Allow yourself to express grief alongside gratitude. Sharing your feelings with loved ones can foster a sense of connection and support. Incorporate Traditions Continue any traditions that remind you of your loved one. Whether it’s preparing a favorite dish or lighting a candle in their memory, these acts can honor their presence in a meaningful way. Practice Gratitude While grieving, focus on what you are grateful for in the present. This might include cherished memories, supportive friends, or small moments of joy. Sharing these reflections can inspire others to join you in celebrating the beauty still present in life. Take Breaks If the gathering feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to step away for a moment. A short walk or a quiet space can help you recharge and return to the celebration with a renewed spirit. Reach Out for Support If you’re struggling, consider reaching out to friends, family, or support groups. Talking about your feelings can provide relief and remind you that you’re not alone in your journey. End the Day with Reflection As the day winds down, take a moment to reflect on the experiences, emotions, and connections of the day. Journaling your thoughts can be a powerful way to process your feelings and honor your loved one. Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness, even amidst sorrow. Embrace the opportunity to connect, reflect, and create new memories while honoring those you’ve lost. You are not alone in your grief, and there is strength in sharing your journey. Together, let’s inspire one another to find hope and healing this season. Wishing you a compassionate and meaningful Thanksgiving. #grief #griefandloss #nurseleaders #therapists #griefeducation

As I approach my fourth Christmas without my dad, I’ve been reflecting on some lessons I’ve learned along the way. I hope these insights bring comfort to those facing their first Christmas without a loved one, and bring knowledge to those working with and managing people who are grieving this holiday season. 🤍Christmas isn’t a celebration for everyone - for some, it magnifies their losses, whether through a death, or a living loss, they may be facing an empty chair at the table.  Remember, your colleagues might not want to ‘celebrate’ with the rest of the team or organisation. Make celebrations optional, without stigma for those who choose not to attend. 🤍Be compassionate - ask your grieving colleagues how they plan to remember their loved ones this year. Many of us appreciate when others ask about the person we’ve lost. Sharing your own traditions or ones you’ve heard about can be a lovely way to show you care and are thinking of them and their loved ones. 🤍Think before you speak - Sometimes, Christmas can feel anything but ‘Merry’ or ‘Happy.’ Consider saying, “I know this Christmas might be difficult for you. I will be thinking of you and remembering [Name],” or “I remember you telling me [Name] loved mince pies; I will be sure to have one for them this Christmas.” Personal touches mean a lot. One of the greatest gifts when living with grief is knowing others remember and think of the person you’ve lost. If you’re facing your first Christmas without someone you love, please be gentle with yourself. The lead-up can be more overwhelming than the day itself. Make extra time for self-care, don’t be afraid to set boundaries, and most importantly, tell the world about them. Ensure their legacy lives on in the stories you tell and the new memories you create 💖

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but what happens when they feel empty after losing someone you love? Grief doesn’t take a break during the holiday season. For families navigating the loss of a loved one, traditions can become bittersweet reminders of what’s missing. In my latest article, "Holding onto the Holidays: Navigating Traditions After Losing a Loved One," I share: ✅ The emotional complexities of grieving during the holidays. ✅ Practical ways to honor your loved one while creating new traditions. ✅ Tips for coping with loss and finding moments of peace. 💔 This topic is deeply personal for me—I remember my first Christmas without my grandmother, the glue of our family. It shaped how I approach the holidays and inspired me to help others navigate this delicate balance between grief and joy. 📖 Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/3VqBNpk 💬 How have you kept the memory of a loved one alive during the holidays? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.