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Heather Stang

How to Get Through Thanksgiving When You Are Grieving & New Podcast

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hello Reader,

Like you, I know firsthand how hard Thanksgiving can feel when you are grieving. The days leading up to it can be full of pressure, memories, and questions about how you will get through a holiday that looks different now.

You are not alone in feeling this way.

In this week’s Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, I walk you through seven mindful tips that can help you care for your heart before Thanksgiving arrives, during the gathering, and afterward when the day settles. You can also read more on the show notes page.

Here is a quick look at what I cover:

  1. Tend to the emotional build up before the day. Your body often reacts before your mind makes sense of it. Mindfulness helps you recognize what needs care.
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  2. Use a simple visualization to find your friction points. When you imagine the day going as well as it could, honest thoughts surface. These “yeah but” moments help you plan.
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  3. Identify your needs and communicate them clearly. You will hear a story about how one family transformed their Thanksgiving by naming what mattered most.
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  4. Create small personal rituals during the day. A candle, a breath, a photo, or a quiet moment can help you feel connected and grounded.
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  5. Support grieving children with honesty and presence. Children’s grief is often overlooked. I talk about how to meet them gently and truthfully, and I share my own childhood story.
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  6. Understand family dynamics and different grieving styles. Instrumental grievers do. Intuitive grievers feel. Both styles are valid. Mindfulness helps us navigate these differences without blame.
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  7. Care for your heart after Thanksgiving. An emotional drop is normal. You will hear ways to reflect kindly and support yourself as the day settles.

You can listen to the full episode and read the show summary here: How to Get Through Thanksgiving When You’re Grieving.

The Mindfulness & Grief Podcast is also availble on Apple Podcast, Audible, Spotify, and wherever else you get your shows.

With lovingkindness,

P.S. I hope this week’s episode brings a little more clarity, self-compassion, and ease to your holiday.

A few resources....

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Heather Stang

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