When the Holidays Hurt: Navigating Loss & Family Disowning as an LGBTQ+ Person
The holidays are painted as a season of warmth, family, and togetherness, but for many LGBTQ+ individuals, this time of year can bring up grief, loneliness, or the painful reminder of family rejection. Whether you’re mourning the loss of someone you loved, the end of a relationship, or the ache of being disowned for who you are, the holidays can intensify wounds that never fully healed.
This blog explores compassionate, affirming ways to care for yourself during a season that isn’t always kind, like building chosen-family traditions, setting boundaries that protect your peace, rewriting the stories you were given, and staying connected to people who truly see and love you.
If the holidays feel heavy this year, please know you’re not alone, and there is room for comfort, meaning, and healing right here in the holler.
Tending to the Empty Chair: Navigating Grief and Loss During the Holidays
The holidays are supposed to be merry and bright, but when you’re grieving, they can feel unbearably heavy. Whether you’ve lost a loved one, ended a relationship, or find yourself mourning the life you once knew, this season can bring waves of emotion that catch you off guard.
Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. It doesn’t take time off for carols or lights. And you don’t have to either.
This new blog explores compassionate ways to honor your loss during the holidays, like creating simple rituals of remembrance, giving yourself the gift of choice, writing a letter to your loved one, and leaning on others for support.
If the holidays feel harder than joyful this year, please know you’re not alone. There’s still room for comfort, meaning, and gentle healing in the holler.