11/27/2025
How to Cope With Thanksgiving Grief
1. Practice Self Compassion
Acknowledge your feelings. It is completely normal to dread Thanksgiving when you are missing someone you love. Let yourself feel whatever arises. Journaling, talking with a trusted person, or expressing your emotions creatively can offer relief.
2. Make a Plan, but Stay Flexible
The anticipation of the holiday often feels harder than the day itself. Spend some time imagining what you want Thanksgiving to look like. Do you want to follow tradition, try something new, or take the day slowly. A plan can offer a sense of steadiness, yet it is equally important to allow for changes.
Many group members in my Awaken Online Grief Support Community use the Special Day Planner, which is also in my journal From Grief to Peace (pages 114 to 115). This reflective tool helps you consider:
How you expect to feel
What might help if you feel overwhelmed
Objects or memories you want close
People you want to be near and people you want space from
What you hope to remember or connect with
You can explore more support in my Holiday Resources.
3. Honor Your Loved One in Your Own Way
There are many gentle and meaningful ways to honor your loved one on Thanksgiving, whether privately or with others. Consider what feels comforting to you:
Prepare their favorite dish
Light a candle as a symbol of their presence
Set an empty place at the table
Wear their favorite color
Share a memory or write about one
Reflect on how they shaped your life
