The holiday seasib has a way of making everything feel more intense, doesn’t it? Whether you celebrate or not, the whole season seems to amplify whatever you’re carrying—joy, pain, or that strange mix of both.
Grief feels especially loud right now. It’s like the lights, the music, the constant cheer—it all shines a spotlight on what’s missing.
A loved one who isn’t here.
A relationship that’s changed.
The life you thought you’d have by now.
And while everyone is focused on joy, it feels almost impossible to acknowledge the sadness underneath.
But here’s the thing about grief—it’s weird like that. It doesn’t follow rules or calendars. It doesn’t care that it’s Christmas or that everyone else is having a magical time. It just shows up, sometimes uninvited, and makes itself comfortable.
It’s okay to feel it. It’s okay to sit there with the ache and not try to chase it away. In fact, you can hold both. Grief doesn’t cancel out joy, and joy doesn’t erase grief. They can exist side by side.
Maybe you’re laughing at something silly today and crying an hour later because the ache of what’s missing is too big. That’s okay. Or maybe you feel numb, and that’s okay too. There’s no right way to navigate this.
What I’ve learned—what I keep learning—is that grief has layers. Sometimes it’s raw and fresh, and other times it’s a quiet hum in the background. But during the holidays, it seems to put on a sparkly jacket and announce itself more boldly.
If you’re feeling that today, know this: you’re not alone. There’s no manual for how to hold sadness and joy together, but you’re doing it anyway, moment by moment. And that’s something to honor.
So, whether your day looks like tears, laughter, or a little bit of both, know that it’s enough. You’re enough. Grief is part of love, and it means your heart is still open—even when it hurts.
Sending you so much love today, wherever you are in this messy, beautiful, and complicated thing we call life.
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