Grieving During the Holidays: How to Navigate Thanksgiving After Loss

Update: 2025-11-26

Description

*WARNING: This podcast mentions suicide & grief and may be triggering.

Episode Summary

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, Lisa and Natasha dive into the complicated intersection of grief and gratitude during the holiday season—especially around the holidays, when the world feels hyper-focused on joy, family, and celebration.

They talk openly about how the pressure to “be grateful” can feel almost suffocating for people who are navigating loss. Because while gratitude is beautiful, it doesn’t erase the ache of who’s missing. And sometimes the relentless messaging about thankfulness can make people feel guilty for the sadness they can’t just switch off.

Lisa and Natasha unpack what it’s really like to show up at a holiday table with an empty chair staring back at you—or to feel the heaviness of that absence even if no one speaks about it out loud.

They explore how grief and gratitude can (and often do) coexist—even when it feels messy, contradictory, or confusing. Because the truth is: holding both joy and sorrow at the same time isn’t a failure. It’s human.

Ultimately, this episode is an honest reminder that it’s okay if your holidays don’t look like a Hallmark movie. It’s okay if gratitude feels complicated. And it’s okay if there’s a lump in your throat while everyone else is going around the table saying what they’re thankful for.

Grief doesn’t disappear just because the calendar says it’s time to celebrate. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of love. And love doesn’t stop at the holidays.

Takeaways

Gratitude and grief can coexist during the holidays.

Holidays can evoke both joy and sadness.

It's important to acknowledge the empty chairs at the table.

Creating new rituals can help honor lost loved ones.

Grief is a personal journey that varies for everyone.

Small, personal rituals can be meaningful.

It's okay to express sadness during joyful occasions.

Feelings of guilt around gratitude are common.

Sharing memories of lost loved ones can be healing.

Grief is love, and it's important to embrace it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Grief and Gratitude

02:48 Navigating Holidays with Loss

14:40 The Impact of Empty Chairs

19:39 Creating New Rituals

27:37 Embracing Grief and Gratitude Together

Mental Health Resources