The holidays are the time of year when families and loved ones come together to celebrate and enjoy time spent with one another. But, when the holidays roll around, they can also be a time of heightened sadness and grief. This is especially true for those who have experienced loss. It can be a reminder of that loved one who is no longer with you. Or, a time of heightened emotions as you struggle to cope with your loss.
If your partner is experiencing grief during the holidays, it can be hard to know how best to support them and help them through this challenging time. But there are things you can do to help.
Support Your Partner to Bring a Witness to That Grief
Grief can be a challenging experience. Particularly during the holidays when we are surrounded by reminders of those we have lost. But, let your partner know that you are there for them and that you are willing to listen when they need to talk or express their grief. This can be an important way to support them. It’s an important step in their healing. When people are feeling melancholy, they can act out in unhelpful ways. Having a witness to that grief can be a vital step towards working through those emotions. Your partner having someone to let in on their grief can help their grief and gain a sense of support.
If you’re the person not able to be with them in person, try to find other ways that you can support them and be there for them. This could include ways such as via phone or video chat. Or, encourage them to reach out to a family member who is also grieving, or to a therapist or support group if they feel that would be helpful.
Find Ways to Acknowledge and Care for that Grief
When your partner is grieving, it’s important to acknowledge their loss and care for their grief in whatever way feels right. It creates an awareness of the person they lost. Showing that they’re remembered and not forgotten.
Rituals
Creating new rituals to honor the loss can also be helpful. One ritual that your partner may find meaningful is to leave a place at the holiday table for their loved one. Or, placing a photo of them at the table as a reminder. This way the loved one is still part of the holidays, even if they are not there in person.
Leave Time to Grieve and Honor the Loss
Your partner may try to power through the holidays without acknowledging or grieving their loss. But, it’s essential to make time to grieve and honor the loss. Provide a time where your partner can express their grief, openly cry and talk about the person they lost. Doing so can help them to process their loss. It can help them to begin to heal. Plus, it can also allow them to feel this loss without feeling like they are burdening you. But, remember to take some time to listen and be supportive.
Perhaps, when the holiday festivities have commenced, encourage your partner and their family to go around and share special memories or stories about the loved one who is no longer with them. This way you are honoring their loss and creating new memories at the same time. It can also give them time to grieve openly with others before rejoining the festivities.
Seek Support for the Grief
If your partner is struggling with their grief, it can be helpful to seek more support. This could be seeking out grief counseling, so a grief counselor can help and support your partner to help them to work through their loss. Grief counseling will also help your partner find ways to cope with their grief and help them to work through it over time. Or, it could mean joining a support group or talking with a friend who has experienced a similar loss.
If you both are struggling with ways for you to support your partner through their grief during the holidays, you can seek couples therapy. This way you will have a couples counselor who can work with you both on ways to support each other through grief and better navigate the holiday season. The counselor will also help you find ways to make the holidays more meaningful and less painful, even when you are missing someone. They can be a major source of support when navigating grief and the holidays.
In the end, supporting your partner during the holidays when they are grieving can be a powerful and meaningful way to show your love and care. By listening, acknowledging, and being there for them in their time of need, you can help them to heal and move forward. So don’t be afraid to step up and do what you can for your partner during this difficult time.
Interested in Grief Counseling in Atlanta, GA or Couples Counseling?
The holidays can be a very difficult time for those who are grieving the loss of someone they love. You want to be there for your partner and support them, but it can be hard to know how to help. Grief counseling can help your partner navigate their grief and find ways to cope during the holidays. Where couples therapy can help you navigate supporting your partner during this difficult time. To start your counseling journey with Faith and Family Empowerment, please follow these simple steps:
- Fill out an appointment request.
- Get to know your caring therapist.
- Start supporting your partner through their grief during the holidays.
Other Services Offered at Faith and Family Empowerment
I understand how hard it can be to navigate grief and the holidays. I also know it digs up other emotions, such as anger and sadness. This is why at my practice, Faith and Family Empowerment, we offer a variety of counseling services that may help you. I offer support from my Decatur, GA-based counseling practice and via online therapy in Georgia. Services I offer include Christian counseling, depression support groups, and marriage counseling. I also offer premarital counseling, discernment counseling, and counseling for affair recovery. Learn more by visiting my about, blog, or FAQ pages today!