Rediscover Joy

How to navigate Christmas while grieving

Cait Wotherspoon

Welcome back to Rediscover Joy. In this episode, I’m exploring something that weighs heavily for many of us—the holidays can be a tough time, especially when you’re grieving. Christmas often brings up memories of loved ones we miss, and I want to share ways to approach this season with gentleness, creativity, and maybe even a touch of joy.

In This Episode, I Cover:

  • Giving Yourself Permission to Grieve: Grieving during the holidays is absolutely okay. I talk about ways to honour your feelings without forcing happiness, like taking quiet moments, lighting a candle, journaling, or just letting yourself feel whatever comes up.
  • Creative Ways to Honour Loved Ones: I share ideas that might help keep memories alive in a meaningful way. From making memory ornaments to cooking a favourite family recipe, these little acts can invite our loved ones into the celebration in ways that feel right to you.
  • My Personal Journey and Listener Stories: I open up about my own first Christmas after losing my daughter, and how I found ways to create space for both grief and love. Plus, I share some beautiful listener stories on how they’ve honoured loved ones—from jewellery-decorated trees to playing favourite songs.
  • Setting Boundaries During the Holidays: Self-care is key during this time. I encourage you to say no if certain gatherings or traditions feel too much. Adjusting what Christmas looks like for you is perfectly okay.
  • Hope Amidst Grief: I close with a quote that’s helped me, reminding us all to look for small moments of hope, even when it seems hard to find.

Resources for You: If you’d like more ideas on navigating grief with creativity, head over to my website, where I have a free guide called Do Christmas Your Way.

Quote I Shared:

“Grief is not a process to get over, but a journey to move through. In honouring our pain, we also create space for hope to emerge.” — David Kessler & George Bonanno

I hope this episode brings some comfort as we head into the season. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. 

Take each day gently, and together, let’s rediscover joy in our own ways.

Let’s Stay Connected:

Check Out My Website: CaitWotherspoon.com.au