Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, and that grief can be twice as hard during the holidays. Memories serve as constant reminders of loss, and watching others celebrate can be painful and overwhelming. Whether it’s a sudden death or because of a long illness, the first holiday after the loss of a loved one changes so many things. While every person deals with death in their own way, the holidays are a time when family gets together. Figuring out what is right for yourself and everyone else can get complicated. Many people worry they’ll never enjoy the holidays again, feeling they just want to go away to be alone until the season is over, so on today’s show, we’ll spend some time discussing how to handle the first holiday after a loss. Here’s a glance at this episode: [6:04] Decisions to keep in mind [11:36] How to respond to holiday invitations [18:47] Toolbox Takeaway Similar Episodes: Episode 59: Growing Through Grief w/ Jonathan Pitts Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts: Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like to improve their mental health and live a better today story. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show: Drop The BS Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dropthebspodcast/