Episode 4: ’Tis the Season to Be Thankful (When You’re Not Feeling Very Thankful At All)

Holidays. For many, they’re filled with warmth, lights, and tradition — but for those of us navigating grief, they can feel heavy, complicated, and even isolating. In this episode, I explore why it’s okay if gratitude doesn’t show up this season — and how simply allowing yourself to feel, notice, and exist is enough.

What we cover in this episode:

• The tension between societal expectations of gratitude and your personal grief experience
• Why it can feel impossible to “be thankful” when your heart is still adjusting to life after loss
• Compassionate tools for sitting with your grief during the holidays
• How to notice the small, grounding moments that honor both your presence and your pain

I share personal reflections on my first holiday season without Kevin, from the little traditions that now hurt to the sharp contrast of seeing others celebrate. We also talk about the importance of making space for yourself — without forcing gratitude, without judgment, and without expectation.

Guided Practice:

• Find a quiet moment to notice your breath, your heartbeat, or your surroundings.
• Let yourself simply exist in the season, without trying to fix your feelings or push away your grief.
• Recognize that even small sparks of light — a song, a quiet walk, a warm drink — can hold gratitude without diminishing your grief.

Remember:
Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. It doesn’t need to be “fixed,” and it doesn’t cancel out gratitude — even if that gratitude is tiny or fleeting. The bravest thing you can do this season is to give yourself compassion and space to just be.

Next Episode:
We’ll explore “The Grief Hangover” — those days after milestones or holidays when grief feels heavier than the day itself. I’ll be joined by Julia Warren, fellow widow, grief coach, and yoga therapist, to discuss how to care for yourself during these emotional aftershocks.

Thank you for showing up for yourself today.
Grief is personal, tender, and ongoing, and your presence in this season — however it looks or feels — is an act of courage and self-compassion.

You can connect with me on Instagram: @imsorrywerefriends
and learn more about my grief coaching and programs at laurenlentz.com