Navigating the Season with Love, Memory and Meaning
The Christmas season is often portrayed as a time of joy, sparkle, and togetherness, and for many it is. But for others, especially those living with grief, it can feel like walking through a celebration while carrying an invisible weight.
I know that feeling all too well.
I lost my brother and mum in November, and my dad in December, so this time of year always carries a deep emotional undercurrent. I do celebrate. I hang decorations, enjoy time with loved ones, and smile at the lights. But if I’m honest, much of it takes a conscious choice to lean in, rather than it feeling natural. And that’s okay.
This year’s Grief Awareness Week (Tuesday 2nd to Monday 8th December 2025) carries the theme: Growing with Grief. It’s a message close to my heart, and the foundation of my book Grief: A Journey Through Emotions.
a message close to my heart, and the foundation of my book Grief: A Journey Through Emotions.
In the book, I explore the many shapes grief takes, and how we can learn to navigate those waves with gentleness, self-compassion, and permission to feel.
Because grief doesn’t go away.
We don’t “get over” someone we loved.
But we do grow around the loss.
We change shape.
We learn to hold both love and sorrow in the same breath.
And we discover, slowly and gently, how to carry both.
💜 If this season feels difficult, here are some simple steps to help you move through it:
🕯️ Make space for your feelings
You don’t need to be merry all the time. Let your emotions rise and fall, laughter and tears can sit side by side.
🎄 Create a ritual of remembrance
Light a candle, decorate a memory tree, or write a note to someone you’re missing. Let them be part of your celebration in spirit.
📅 Choose what feels right for you
You don’t have to do everything. You are allowed to say no. Protect your peace and choose what feels nourishing.
💬 Say their name
Talk about your loved ones. Share memories. So often, people are also remembering and they’re just waiting for permission to speak.
🌺 Let joy in, even if it’s bittersweet
Feeling joy doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten. It means your heart is wide enough to hold both love and loss.
Grief is not a season with an end date. It flows through us at different times and intensities. But the more we learn to walk with it, the more we begin to see that healing isn’t about forgetting, Instead it’s about remembering differently.
If you need guidance, comfort, or reassurance through your own grief journey, my book Grief: A Journey Through Emotions was written lovingly for you. It offers real stories, gentle reflections, grounding practices, and a compassionate hand to hold as you navigate your loss. You can read more about my book here.
Wherever you are in your grief journey, know this:
You are not alone.
You are allowed to feel.
And there is no wrong way to grieve.
With compassion,
Katina Chapman
Hypnotherapist | Mindfulness Practitioner
Author of Grief: A Journey Through Emotions