Suffering the loss of a loved one is always difficult, but the pain can feel especially intense during holidays and special occasions. During these times, there are frequent reminders of togetherness, joy, and thanksgiving, which can actually heighten feelings of loneliness and emptiness. It can be hard to feel celebratory when  the holiday season is magnifying your pain and grief.

Here are some reminders as we enter the holiday season to help cope with the days ahead and to treat yourself with compassion and grace. 

Do you find yourself frequently comparing your life to others? Has this led to feelings of envy and discontentment with your life? Comparison and envy are very human — they’re normal, natural, and frequent. But instead of letting these thoughts and feelings bring us down, we can choose how we respond to them when they inevitably arise.