Holidaze: collaborative, community post

Over the couple decades of doing grief exploration and outreach, I've created many different graphics exploring the idea of the holidaze. Today, for our collaborative, community post on this topic, I thought I'd gather some of the ones people have responded to most strongly and share them in this one gathering spot. (You can click on any of the graphics below to see original size or post.) Hope you will consider them creative prompts or inspirations for exploring how you can tend your heart and creative heART while grieving during the holiday season. As many gifts as we scramble to give others along the way, I hope you will gift yourself with what you need to best tend now and in the coming year. Here goes.

First tending yourself:

Gift giving with a twist:

Finding rituals anew:

And now to share the 

Community Offerings 

that were so heARTfully shared for this topic:

Supporting our friend in grief Kara from @griefandcreativity who asks how can you both celebrate and grieve during the #Holidays? Since my loved ones died, this time of year has been tough - seeing my best friend, Joy’s name everywhere; missing celebrating my former fiancée’s birthday around Thanksgiving and having my Dad decorate everything like Chevy Chase from Christmas Vacation. The way I have been able to deal with the grief is by honoring (not avoiding) both my sad and joyful emotions. Trying to pretend only makes it worse. #griefreiki #holidaze ##griefandcreativity #grieftip #holidays #holidaygrief #griefquotes

A post shared by Grief Reiki® (@griefreiki) on Nov 22, 2017 at 11:31am PST

 

We all move through grief differently, but creativity is a universal. I bake biscuits, but what do you do? Whatever it is, put your hands to work to calm your mind. Right, @griefandcreativity?⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ "#wereallinthistogether #griefandcreativity #creativity #creative #therapysession #grief #griefbiscuit #griefjourney #griefquotes #griefsupport #griefsucks

A post shared by Grief Biscuit (@griefbiscuit) on Oct 26, 2017 at 4:00pm PDT

 

Thank you again to each of you, Michelle, Christine, Sharon, and Amanda! My whole heart to each of you for being willing to share and be part of the community expressions of grief and love around the holi-daze of the holidays.

And to all of you reading, waves and waves of Reiki coming your ways in support for whatever your holidays are looking and feeling like this year. Please remember if you are having a hard time at any point, you don't have to struggle alone. Tap into a resource like the Crisis Text Line if you need it:

And remember, you have permission:

Miracles and love to you!
k-