Grieving During the Holidays: When Joy and Sorrow Coexist

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of grieving during the holiday season, offering insights and coping strategies for those facing loss.

The holidays are often painted as joyful, bright, and magical, but for anyone grieving, they can feel heavy, complicated, and painfully lonely. In this episode, we open up about what it’s really like to face the holiday season without our mothers, sharing both our professional insights as mental health providers and our personal stories of loss. We talk openly about the emotional realities of grief during a time that pressures us to “be merry,” explore why this season can intensify feelings of longing, and offer compassionate, realistic coping strategies listeners can use to support themselves. From setting boundaries to creating rituals of remembrance, we discuss the small, meaningful ways to get through the holidays while honoring both love and loss. This episode is a reminder that if this season feels hard for you, you’re not alone, and it’s okay to show up exactly as you are. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyDoPeopleDoThat Visit our website: https://whydopeopledothat.com/ If you'd like to contact Stacy and Heather or learn more about their practices, visit the following sites: Long Island Counseling Services - www.longislandcounselingservices.com…

People in this episode

Hosts: Stacy Pellettieri, Heather Harten

Topics covered

• grief
• holidays
• mental health
• coping strategies
• loss
• emotional realities

Keywords

• grieving
• holidays
• mental health
• coping strategies
• loss
• emotional support
• boundaries
• rituals of remembrance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Long Island Counseling Services, District Support Services, ADHD Training Center

More episodes of Why Do People Do That?

• Why Do I Do That? Understanding the OCD Loop · February 8, 2026 · 53 min
• Anxiety! : This is Where Real Relief Starts · January 25, 2026 · 1h 1m
• From People-Pleasing to Power: Understanding the Cycle That Holds Women Back · January 11, 2026 · 1h 2m
• The Science of Love: What We’re Really Looking for in Connection · December 28, 2025 · 1h 2m
• The "Why Do People Do That" Episode! · November 30, 2025 · 1h 3m
• Sober, Not Subtle: Understanding the Roots of Addiction with Jason Mayo · November 16, 2025 · 1h 4m