Holidays: Trauma, Loss & the Weight We Carry

 

For many people, the holidays are a time of connection, celebration, and joy.
But for others, this season brings something very different — grief, anxiety, overwhelm, and a deep sense of longing for what used to be or should have been.

If you’ve experienced a significant loss or trauma, the holidays can feel especially painful.
The rituals, smells, songs, and gatherings that once brought comfort may now highlight what (or who) is missing or what (or who) you never had. You may feel the sharp contrast between the world expecting cheer and your heart carrying an absence that can’t be filled.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

A 2023 American Psychological Association survey found that 89% of U.S. adults feel stressed during the holidays — and for those living with trauma or loss, that stress can intensify old wounds, amplify grief, and awaken memories the body has worked hard to protect you from.

This is not a personal failing. It’s your nervous system remembering.

Trauma and loss don’t take holidays off — and the pressure to feel joy can actually make things harder.

In this blog, we’ll look at why the holidays can be especially challenging — and how you can honor your healing with compassion, grounding, and choice.

Whether you're grieving someone you loved, navigating painful memories, or simply trying to make it through the season, there is nothing wrong with you.

You are human.
You are adapting.
And you deserve gentleness through this season.

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