The holidays can be a time of beauty, connection, and celebration. But they can also stir deep grief, longing, and tenderness. If you are missing someone you love, a child, a parent, a partner, a dear friend, or a beloved animal, please know this: there is nothing wrong with you. Grief often rises during the holidays because love lives there.

This blog offers gentle support to help you move through this season with more care, steadiness, and compassion. Take what serves you. Leave the rest.

1. Take refuge in your practice

When grief is present, the nervous system needs to be nourished and balanced. Even 10–15 minutes a day of meditation, mantra, tantra practices, breathwork, or gentle yoga can help regulate your body and emotions.

Practice does not remove grief but it creates a container where grief can be held safely. Let practice be simple. Let it be imperfectly perfect. Let it be enough. On the days you don’t know what to do, just roll out your mat and trust your body to be playful, intuitive, and do what it needs, or even just put an uplifting playlist on, and DANCE!

2. Take refuge in your spiritual path

There are moments in grief when techniques aren’t enough, and what we need is meaning, faith, and trust in something greater. Lean into what reminds you that you are held:

God. Source. Spirit. Nature. Love itself.

Let your spiritual path carry you when you feel overwhelmed. Remember you are never alone and always held in love by the Divine.

3. Nourish your mind and heart

What you take in matters deeply when we are grieving. Reading or listening to sacred texts, spiritual teachings, poetry, or healing books can bring perspective, comfort, and hope — especially when your mind feels overwhelmed.

Here are some (audio)books that can offer guidance and comfort during this time:

• No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life by Thích Nhất Hạnh
• The Smell of Rain on Dust by Martín Prechtel
• It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine
• When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön

Sacred texts can also be deeply soothing to the soul with their spiritual themes around death:

• The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran
• The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran

Choose to take in content that uplifts rather than drains you.

4. Practice the “Sacred No”

Grief asks for energy conservation. You are not obligated to attend every gathering, uphold every tradition, or explain yourself to anyone. Be selective about where you place your energy. Ask yourself gently:

Will this nourish me or deplete me?

Choosing rest, quiet, or simplicity is not selfish. It is wise. Trust & honor yourself always to do what's best for you.

5. Reach Out. You don’t have to do this alone

One of the hardest parts of grief is the feeling of isolation. Let trusted people know that the holidays are tender for you. Ask for prayers. Ask for grace. Ask for extra love.

You don’t need to always be strong.
You don’t need to pretend you’re okay.
It's ok to not be ok sometimes!

Grief is real and it's important for your community and loved ones to learn how to support you.

6. Remember: Love does not end

One of the deepest truths of grief is this: relationships do not disappear — they transform.

You can still talk to those you’ve lost. Feel them. Sense their presence in nature, dreams, memories, and quiet moments.

Love continues — differently, invisibly, and powerfully.
Let yourself stay connected in the ways that feel true for you.

7. For those who are not grieving this season

If you are reading this and not currently grieving, please remember those who are.
A simple message, a gentle check-in, or just letting someone know they are remembered.
Small acts of kindness carry great healing!

A gentle invitation for support

With honesty and care, I want to share that the practices and offerings I’ve created — Shakti Yoga Sadhana, The Power of Practice, and my book With You Forever were born from lived experience. They arose while moving through extraordinary grief myself, and from a sincere wish to support others walking a similar path. If any of these offerings feel like they could bring a little more steadiness, balance, or light into your life, know that they are here for you.

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to deepen your practice, this may be it. The Power of Practice offers immediate access, so you can begin right away, even during the holidays, when extra support may be most needed. 

Or perhaps someone you love has been sharing a longing for more presence, peace, or spiritual connection. The Power of Practice can also be a meaningful gift; an offering of care and support for anyone ready to cultivate a more loving relationship with themselves.

Whether the holidays feel heavy or spacious, challenging or celebratory, your practice can meet you exactly where you are. We invite you to give yourself this gift: the tools, guidance, and confidence to create a daily ritual that supports you not only through this season, but through every season of your life.

A Closing Blessing

May you move through this season with gentleness.
May you find refuge where you can.
May you remember that you are not alone. I am sending love & healing to you!
May the returning light — both within and around you —meet you with grace & love.

 With love,

Monica