The Holiday Survival Plan for a Grieving Heart

The holidays are often painted with joy and celebration — but if you're grieving, the season can feel more like emotional quicksand than comfort and cheer.

In this deeply personal and hope-filled episode, I share why the holidays are uniquely challenging after loss, how grief can catch us off guard, and what it looks like to move through this season with compassion, clarity, and care.

You’ll learn how to create a Holiday Peace Plan — a gentle, intentional way to navigate triggers, set boundaries, honor your grief, and care for your heart. This isn’t about pushing through or pretending you’re okay. It’s about choosing what supports you and letting that be enough.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Why grief shows up in unexpected moments (and how to respond with compassion)
• The 4 key pillars of a Holiday Peace Plan
• How to identify emotional triggers — and soften their impact
• What healthy boundaries look like when you're grieving
• Having support and community during the holiday season
• Self-care practices that actually nourish you in hard seasons

✅ Practical Tips for Creating a Holiday Peace Plan:

Step 1: Write down your known triggers.
Think about songs, traditions, or events that might bring up grief. Naming them takes away some of their power.

Step 2: Decide in advance what traditions you’ll keep, change, or skip.
Give yourself permission to let go of the ones that feel too heavy. It doesn’t mean you’ll never do them again — it just means you don’t have to this year.

Step 3: Identify 1–2 safe people to lean on.
Write their names down. Let them know you might need extra support during the holidays.

Step 4: Choose a memory ritual.
This could be lighting a candle, cooking your loved one’s favorite dish, or writing them a letter. Rituals help keep their memory alive in a way that feels gentle.

Step 5: Build in faith or grounding practices.
Set aside a few minutes each day for prayer, journaling, or deep breathing. Simple rhythms can create a sense of stability when everything feels shaky.

🧾 Free Workshop Invitation:

If you’d like extra support this season, I’m hosting a free workshop to help you create your own Holiday Peace Plan. We’ll walk through the steps together in a gentle, interactive space.

 👉 Grab the details and Register here

Reflection Questions from Today’s Episode:

• What tradition feels too heavy this year?
• Who is one safe person I can ask for support?
• How can I honor my loved one’s memory in a meaningful way?

📌 Resources & Links:

•  Grab your spot in our Holiday Joy, Rewritten Workshop on November 9 (if you register after November 9, you can still get the replay)
•  Work with Kimberly → kimberlymeyercoaching.com (coming soon)
•  Join our supportive community  → Grief Support and Healing After Loss

If this episode resonated with you, please Like and Subscribe so we can be shown to more listeners. And share with someone you know who may be grieving or going through hard times. 

You’re not broken. You’re grieving. And there’s space for that — even in this season. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to face the holidays without support. 

References: 

• American Psychiatric Association survey on grief during the holidays
• Blue Christmas / Remembrance services