As I was preparing this week’s theme, “Surviving the Holidays,” I thought back to a conversation I had a few years ago with my friend, licensed professional counselor Keri Kitchen. We talked honestly about the complicated emotions many of us carry into this season, especially those of us healing from trauma or navigating tender places. Even though this conversation was recorded in 2021, the heart of it is still so relevant. If the holidays feel heavy, confusing, or just a little overwhelming, this may give you a sense of company and a few ideas for the days ahead.
Originally posted November 12, 2021
Not So Merry and Bright?
Are the holidays difficult for you? Are you dreading upcoming family gatherings? Do you wonder how you’ll manage the chaos of returning home for the holidays? Maybe you’ve decided not to go. How do you manage telling your family you’re not coming home? How do you manage loneliness an isolation? What about temptation to indulge in addictive habits-is there a way to avoid relapse?
The holidays are tough for trauma survivors. For some reconnecting with family means triggers, anxiety, fear, sorrow, or guilt. For others the decision to not attend family gathering means loneliness and isolation.
“Whether you’ve been through significant losses, abuse, or any other traumatic life event, you may have discovered that the holidays don’t always feel merry and bright. There have certainly been times mine didn’t! ” Keri Kitchen
What To Do
While there may not be one answer to the dilemma faced by many during the holidays, during this broadcast Keri Kitchen M.Ed, LPCC, NCC and I had a conversation to address some of the common questions and concerns we’ve heard over the years regarding holiday events. We’ shared, not only from our professional experience, but from our personal healing journeys.
The content is timeless and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch this short (30 minute) conversation. It was truly like I was talking to a friend over coffee.
What’s Next
While this week’s focus is overall preparation for the holidays, next week I’ll start a simple new series shaped around the four Advent themes — hope, peace, joy, and love.
The themes of Advent are not easy for survivors to embrace so we’ll spend time looking at each theme with compassion and care.
Faith in the Fog
I’m excited to share Faith In the Fog with you. It’s full of stories, reflections, tools, scriptures and resources that helped me heal and I hope they will help you move forward in your journey. Advance copies are available now and include a free Toolkit PDF. If you’ve already pre-ordered, thank you. If you haven’t yet, you can find it here.
Stay Connected
If you’d like to keep walking with me through updates, new tools, and reflections, and have access to a downloadable worksheet for each week’s Tool of the Week, you can join my list here.
Pray • Share • Give
If this reflection encouraged you, would you take a moment to:
– Pray — that Faith in the Fog finds its way into the hands of those who need its message of hope and healing and that I listen to God’s voice in all that I do.
– Share — this post with someone who might need the reminder that they’re not walking alone.
– Give — if you’d like to help make it possible for Faith in the Fog to reach those who need help navigating the fog of healing, you can do that here.
