Brighter Tomorrows Counseling Services, LLC

08/04/2026

10/05/2023

Grief and the Holidays

When you lose someone you love, it can be tremendously devastating. Your whole world is turned upside down. The pain is immense and intense. It may seem like it will never pass. What used to be a commonplace routine becomes a chore. Taking your dog for a walk, preparing a meal, and making a phone call, amongst many other tasks, can all seem excruciatingly difficult to perform. In other words, grief hurts. It literally shakes your world and you want the shaking to stop. Now. But it doesn’t.

Grief especially hurts during the holidays. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah, it is a time when families come together to celebrate. But the absence of a family member during any of these holidays is simply a painful reminder that they are no longer with us.

The loss of a loved one is more profoundly felt during this time. Holiday music, decorations, and parties can all be reminders that our loved one is no longer with us and can bring about an even deeper sadness. For this reason, it is important to remind yourself that you do not have to partake in all holiday events. In fact, you don’t have to partake in any of the events, period. The choice is absolutely yours.

You may decide altogether that you don’t want to celebrate the holidays, and that’s perfectly okay. You may decide to skip the holidays altogether, and that is okay too. Or perhaps modifying the holidays would be more within your comfort zone. As an example, avoid malls by shopping online. Attending some parties and having an escape plan may be helpful as well. Just keep in mind that there is no right or wrong.

Remind yourself that it won’t always be this way. The more recent the loss is, the harder the holidays will hit you. But, as difficult as the grieving process is, it is necessary to experience the pain in order to begin to heal. So be mindful that, while this holiday season is awful, it doesn’t necessarily mean future holiday seasons will be. Although it is very likely that past holiday rituals may not remain, you will likely create new ones while still being able to honor the memory of your loved one.

03/17/2023

There's so much we can't see.

03/09/2023

❤️

03/04/2023

❤️

Indeed!

02/25/2023

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

02/02/2023

This!

People who have codependent patterns are often seeking external validation to feel good about themselves.

➡We allow others to define our feelings, decisions and even our own identity.

➡We sacrifice our needs and assume responsibility for others' emotions and needs.

💛Acknowledging your codependent patterns and becoming more self-aware are the first steps to breaking free and beginning to value yourself.

🎧Tune into this week’s Close Chapter Podcast to learn more how to heal from codependency with María-Victoria Albina, NP, MPH

01/24/2023

You can’t change what you’re not aware of.

➡Begin to identify family patterns that do not serve you.

➡Explore your beliefs and where they came from.

💛When we understand why we became who we are, we can learn how to offer empathy and compassion to ourselves and others.

💗When you recognize and embrace your shadow self, you will have a strong sense of self and be more authentic.

🎧If you missed last week’s Close the Chapter Podcast, it’s about having to stop the worst-case scenario thinking and having the courage to be yourself.