Tips for Dealing with Grief During Summertime Events

What If Summer Time Isn't All Sunshine and Barbecues?

Summer is here, many people are already getting their backyards and patios picture ready for hosting big family BBQs and holiday get-togethers. Summer is mostly known as a time for relaxing and having some fun with the people you love most.

But the summer holiday get-togethers can be extremely hard to handle when you are grieving the recent death of a loved one. Many people aren’t sure how to handle the dichotomy of wanting to be around those they love, and yet feeling the sadness for their loss.

If you are wondering how to deal with your grief during the upcoming summer holidays, here are some suggestions we hope will help:

Feel Your Feels (All of Them)

Recognize that grieving is an important part of processing your loss. Stuffing your feelings down tends to only prolong your grief. If your instinct is to avoid all get-togethers in an effort to not feel your pain, you may want to rethink your decision. Make time to connect to your feelings, share them with a trusted person, or journaling them.

Choose With Intention

While you shouldn’t completely avoid being social with your loved ones, you don’t have to attend every summertime get-together. Choose the events that you think you can handle and say “no” to the ones that may make you feel drained. Be firm with loved ones who may try and convince you to attend, thinking it will be good for you. Ultimately, you are the only one who knows how you feel and what you can handle. Try role-playing setting your boundaries ahead of time to make sure you feel confident in them and can deliver them in a healthy way.

Have a "Got To Go" Plan

I'm here, now what? Be sure to drive yourself to the event if you can so you can leave when you want or need. If you must get a ride, try to get one with someone who will take you home when you need to go. Make sure your expectations are known to your ride and challenge thoughts that might cause you to feel guilty when asking to leave. You may also want to download the Uber or Lyft app as another option.

Connect To Your Loved One

Just because the relationship has changed, doesn't mean it needs to disappear. Find new ways to keep the memory of your loved one alive during the summer holidays. You could make their favorite dish or baked goodies to bring to the BBQ. You could also light a sparkler for them. Creating unique ways to memorialize your loved one will help you keep their memory with you during this time.

What If I Need More Support?

It may also help to speak with someone over the summer months. A therapist can offer tools to cope as well as guide you along your grieving path to wellness. If you’re interested in treatment options, please get in touch with us. Our skilled therapists would be honored to support you during this time.