When Holidays are Hard: Music Therapy Resources For Grief During the Holiday Season
What happens when this time of year doesn’t live up to all it’s built up to be?
For many individuals, it’s the holiday season & there’s expectations of merriment and cheer. After a year full of change, grief, and loss, how do you reconcile with the joy associated with this season?
I spent some time discussing this concept with Mabel from Limitless Harmonies, and we wanted to share some thoughts and resources to reflect on our experiences this year and how they might impact this season.
Truthfully, you don’t have to feel merry or cheerful & it’s okay not to meet these false expectations. We want to acknowledge that your feelings are valid and you can have a voice amidst the noise of the season. You are not alone in grieving your losses or grappling with loneliness this year or any other.
We understand these may be hard things to process, and if you are a helping professional like us, difficult to discuss with those you support. We want to support you and provide some resources. Included is a “‘Tis the Damn Season” songwriting template by Taylor Swift, as well as non-musical journaling prompts, reflecting on the losses and changes that we might have gone through this year. They are designed in such a way that they can be used during music therapy sessions, by other professionals, or even for self reflection. Click the link to find free downloadable copies of these resources.
