Episode 322: Understanding Loss: Navigating the Loss of a Loved One During the Holiday Season

Navigating the loss of a loved one during the holidays can be extremely difficult, especially if the loss is recent, but even if it isn’t. Without this other person, the holidays again can feel empty and meaningless. There is a heaviness abounding in what is supposed to be the joyful traditions. 

Over the past two weeks, we’ve looked at survivor’s guilt and PTSD, and for the next two weeks, we shift gears to the topic of the loss of a loved one, and we begin our discussion on why loss feels heavier during the holidays for so many of us.

We look at the problem with the magical, mythical understanding of time, the impact of failing to put your own self-care before that of others, and the challenge of reorienting yourself in a season that has fundamentally shifted and changed. 

Dr. Spano leaves us with an encouraging message: no matter the circumstances of your loss, the holidays can be restored. Don’t miss next week’s episode, where Dr. Spano offers practical strategies to help reframe your loss as an opportunity for personal transformation.

What you’ll learn about in this episode:

• Today’s focus as we continue on with the series on Understanding Loss.
• Why loss feels heavier during the holidays.
• What Dr. Spano wants you to think about during the holidays after the loss of a loved one.
• Some of the reasons we struggle during the holidays. 
• The problem with the magical, mythical understanding of time.
• The strength of love is eternal, but also the reason for the heaviness of pain associated with grief. 
• The impact of failing to put your own self-care before the needs of others. 
• Reorienting yourself in a season that has fundamentally changed. 
• Recognizing an unspoken element of the family itself.
• An encouragement that the holidays can be restored after loss. 
• Dr. Spano shares some practical action steps to begin processing loss during the holidays.
• A final thought: grieve forever, but not mourn forever.

Transcript: Here

Links Mentioned:

The Pursuit of Time and Money: Step into Radical Abundance and Discover the Secret to a Meaningful Prosperous Life: https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Time-Money-Meaningful-Prosperous/dp/1683503228 

Sharon Spano:

Website: sharonspano.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD

Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/

Book: thetimemoneybook.com

Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com

X: x.com/SpanoSharon

Email: sharon@sharonspano.com 

The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/