03/02/2026
How to enjoy Purim through grief?
👉🏻 Grief doesn't follow a schedule.
Grief is the shadow that shows up when it wants.
There is no timeline. No "right way."
It's not only the loss of what was, It's the loss of what you imagined would be.
On Purim, when the world feels loud and joyful, your pain can feel even sharper.
That makes sense.
👉🏻 Take care of your body.
Grief lives in the body.
Eat real food. Drink water. Sleep if you can.
Have your coffee.
Purim is overwhelming even on a good year.
When you forget the basics, everything feels heavier.
👉🏻 Prepare for the hard moments.
Walking into shul.
Seeing children dressed up.
Hearing babies cry.
If your chest tightens, that's normal.
Instead of judging yourself, gently name it:
"Sadness is here”
👉🏻 You're allowed to feel everything.
Sadness. Anger. Envy. Hope.
Even moments of joy.
You can grieve and still laugh, you can feel despair and still pray.
Let yourself pivot during the day.
You don't have to force a feeling that isn't there.
👉🏻 Protect your heart.
Social media can be loud on Purim.
Mute accounts. Move apps. Limit scrolling.
You don't have to consume everyone else's joy to prove you're okay.
👉🏻 Know what you'll say.
Some people will ask questions. Some won't understand your struggle.
Prepare a simple response ahead of time:
"We're doing what we can."
"We're in the process."
Or, "I'd rather not talk about it."
Planning your words can ease your anxiety.
👉🏻 Purim is hidden hope.
Esther was alone. Afraid. Hidden.
Yet she stepped forward anyway:
Purim reminds us that miracles are often concealed.
The world is not always as it seems.
Hope isn't just a feeling.
It's the decision to keep going.
Even if today is heavy. Even if you move slowly. You are more than one role.
You matter right now, as you are.
Wishing you strength, meaning, and a gentle Purim.