By Nijiama Smalls
Many will tell you not to be sad during the holidays. I’m here to tell you that is incorrect!
If you have suffered a death, divorce, or any other trauma, the holidays may bring those emotions to the surface– and it’s perfectly okay.
It’s actually very healthy to experience these emotions because you are dealing with them and healing. You certainly do not want the sadness to cripple you but honor your emotions, lean into them, and allow the feelings to flow when necessary.
We harm ourselves when we keep our emotions bottled up. This causes us to lash out or explode at minor things (Sadly, I’ve done this before and it was not a pretty picture). It may also cause us to become so engulfed in emotions that we cry very easily at the slightest annoyance. Crying is our body’s way of telling us that we need to heal. Honor your emotions, feel your feelings, and heal.
As I mentioned in The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds, my cousin passed away and it left me devastated. I’m not over the grief but have learned to make space for the grief. It lives with me now.
A few steps to begin the healing process:
- Visit a therapist
- Journal and pray
- Learn to accept the pain that has occurred.
You can find a therapist as well as details about each of these steps on the site.
Are you Ready to Heal?
Do the work! Run don’t walk to our virtual space to download the emotional wellness plan, sign up for a workshop, find a therapist, chat with our wellness coach Rashida, purchase a book or journal, or listen to a podcast all in one space right here.
Love you, sis!
Nij
