12/25/2025
Grief can make you feel as tangled as a string of Christmas lights! Sometimes it’s not just the person you’re grieving—it’s also your old ways of coping. Maybe in the past you pushed through the holidays by overworking, over-giving, numbing out, or using patterns (with food, substances, relationships, or perfectionism) that no longer feel safe or sustainable. Letting go of those patterns can stir up its own grief. You’re losing what once helped you survive, even if it also hurt you. That loss deserves compassion too. It’s okay to say, “That version of me really got me through some hard things. And now I’m learning new ways to care for myself.” Therapy can be a space to honor what those old tools tried to do for you—and to find healthier, kinder tools for the holiday season you’re in now.