Tag Archives: holiday grief

Emotional Freedom Technique | EFT, Holidays, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Creating a New You 2023

Leave a comment

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 161, we welcome in the New Year and start to clarify what we truly want our life to be like in the future.

In years past we might have been so excited when New Year’s Eve came along and we made plans to attend gatherings and parties with the special people in our lives.

But after a loved one’s death, it becomes hard to look forward to a new year without them.

In this week’s episode, we try to push you, just a little, to start the process of considering with clarity what exactly YOU want in the new year and to make it plain in your journal.

It can take a lot of thought to think through what you believe is best for YOU at this time.

And when you write it down on paper, it becomes more clear so you can determine which would work best for you.

Now you may come up with several options and then put them in priority.

You may not get to all of them by the end of this new year, but that’s perfectly ok.

If you can decide on one option in each of the areas I speak about in this week’s podcast, that will be enough.

But do have one priority for each so you have clarity of what will bring you joy, what will bring more success to your life and what will help you spend time working on you not only concentrating on the death of your loved one.

The sad thing is we have no control over what happened to them and to us. We only have control of how we react.

So take the time to concentrate on yourself this week and consider what’s best for your 2023!

We will always remember them, love them, and yes, to varying degrees grief for them. But that doesn’t mean we need to stay stuck.

Blessings to You.

Let me know how it’s going!

xoxo

Additional Notes – Some things that will help along this journey to ease the pain:

If you are having an especially difficult time emotionally, I recommend you speak with a specialist at a hotline near you. Here you will find hotlines all around the world. Trained counselors are there to listen, free of charge, to what’s going on with you. Take advantage of their great kindness. Vent with an objective individual. You don’t have to be ‘suicidal’ to call them, but if you are, that’s the best place to call. Don’t hestitate!

For parents and teens, there is an amazing resource where you can email or text counselors for help at The Boys Town National Hotline! Outstanding assistance for your children and you. You can also dial 988 for assistance.

Visit Julie’s EFT episodes on grief and she will teach you the Emotional Freedom Technique. Her videos calm your spirit and help you release emotional and physical pain as you move forward.

Here are some meditation music to help you rest.

You can order your Bach’s Rescue Remedy from most health food stores, either in person or online. Remember, these do have alcohol in them.

I use the Rescue Remedy 20ml drops but they have spray and other versions which might work better for you. And…they also have products to calm pets, too.

*To find a homeopathic doctor, visit here or here. Many offer phone consultations if you cannot find one in your area. They work with patients around the globe. You can also research in your area of the world.

Grab my free ebook, 21 Things You Need to Know About the Grieving Process, right here on my site.

Please share with anyone who may need this knowledge. Also subscribe, rate and review this podcast on whichever podcast platform you listened in.

xoxo

Emotional Challenges, Emotional Freedom Technique | EFT, Holidays, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | How to Prepare for the Holidays I

Leave a comment

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In this week’s episode, we discuss what to expect during the holiday season after a loved one’s death and how to help ourselves through the pain and overwhelm.

No matter which holidays we celebrate, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, or many others after a loved one has died or was killed, the holidays just won’t feel the same as previous years.

For those who are dealing with their first holiday season, it can be especially difficult.

Trying to feel happy and enjoying the seasons as you did in the past, can be a difficult task.

The main thing to know is that you don’t have to do all you’ve done in the past.

You can decide on a different path. You can curtail your events and celebrations this year and there is nothing wrong with that.

Your emotional state is different now and you must be sensitive to that and treat yourself with more care.

Whereas you might have handled all the cooking, cleaning, baking and hosting, this year it might be better to let another family member take the lead. And you simply attend the event/s and take the stress off of yourself.

And remember to pick up my ebook Holiday Grief: How To Cope With Stress, Anxiety and Depression After a Loved One’s Death right here on my site on the left hand margin to help you.

Remember to be good to yourself, my warrior. Let others help you through this difficult time.

Additional Notes:

Learn EFT to calm your intense emotions. Visit here.

Meditation Videos to help you rest. Choose which resonate with you.

Please share with anyone you know who might benefit from this knowledge. Also subscribe to my podcast on whichever podcast platform you listened in.

xoxo

Holidays, The Mary Mac Show

The Mary Mac Show | Christmas and Hanukkah Gatherings with Family and Friends

Leave a comment

The Mary Mac Show PodcastIn Episode 3, I delve into how to handle Christmas and Hanukkah with family and friends and Holiday Grief.

I also talk about how to help your children during this time of year.

Children are most vulnerable after a loved one’s death and need you to comfort, guide, and be close.

They are hurting too and need attention. If you are busy, do have a trusted friend be attentive to them.

This week, especially, be kind to yourself. Take the time you need for yourself.

And honor your loved one during gatherings in some way. I speak about many ways to do that.

Go to The Mary Mac Show and download Episode 3. Subscribing is the easiest way to insure you’ll always get my podcast each Sunday morning.

May this week bring you joy concentrating on the memories of your loved one and even if you cry or have mixed emotions, celebrate their life. Focus on the good, happy moments you shared with them rather than what you don’t have.

Reach for something that will make you smile or laugh.

I’ll be thinking of you this week.

May you have a wonderful Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.

xoxo

Emotional Challenges, Holidays

Holiday Grief: Invitations

Leave a comment

holiday_grief_hi_res JPG Cover FINALHoliday Grief Tip # 3

Each year we receive numerous invitations to gather with family and friends. And when you’re in the thick of grieving a loved one’s death or other significant loss, there is always an uneasiness as to how to handle these invitations.

Sometimes you’ll feel especially interested in getting out and seeing everyone again. Sometimes you think there is no way you could get yourself energized enough to partake in these events.

There is a solution. If you have a business party or dinner, family or friend gathering, you can simply accept the invitation with conditions.

Let your host know that this has been a difficult time of year since the death of your spouse, child, etc. and tell them you’d like to accept their kind invitation on the condition that if you feel it’s just too much for you on that day, that they will understand your not making it to the event.

You might also add that if you do come by and feel it’s too much for you, you might choose to leave a little earlier and hope that would also be acceptable to them.

This way you have an out, either way. You can attend and leave early or you can decide against it at the last minute.

Either way you have at least graciously communicated with your host and let them know you appreciated their gesture, while reducing your anxiety and stress during the holiday season.

My book Holiday Grief: How To Cope with Stress, Anxiety and Depression After a Loved One’s Death is available now by clicking here.

How have you handled Christmas/Holiday invitation during your grieving process?

Grieving Children, Holidays

Holiday Grief: To Tree or Not to Tree

Leave a comment

holiday_grief_hi_res JPG Cover FINALHoliday Grief – Tip # 2

Often times when we are facing Christmas without our loved one, especially if it’s the first holiday season since their death, we ponder whether it is worth our time and energy, and sometimes our money, to put a tree up with all the decorations.

Perhaps you want to simply skip the holiday all together…after all, it would be so much easier, wouldn’t it?

But when it comes to deciding on a tree or to forgo this tradition, at least this year, you’d want to consider whom that decision might impact the most.

If you have children who are grieving the death of a parent or sibling, it might be wise to have a family meeting and softly discuss what you are thinking and get their feedback on your ideas. You might be wildly surprised to learn that they want Christmas to remain exactly as it has been in years past because they don’t want any traditions changed.

They might be feeling that the person who died would want them to celebrate just as you did in the past.

And if that is too much for you, there are options.

Maybe the compromise is a smaller tree with fewer lights and ornaments.

Maybe you can use a plant, instead, and decorate it with a strand of tiny white lights and instead of ornaments use red silk ribbon tied in soft bows that you just lay on the leaves.

Maybe the children would like to put up a small tree in their room and decorate the way they wish.

There are so many options. Put your thinking cap on, get ideas from your family and friends and, most of all, don’t discard the feelings and wishes of your spouse and children.

My book Holiday Grief: How To Cope with Stress, Anxiety and Depression After a Loved One’s Death is available now by clicking here.

Let us know how you’ve remembered your loved one during the holiday season by commenting below.