Navigating the Holiday Season

By: Terri Pierce-Thompson

Life Coach | Business Consultant | Author

With the holiday season quickly approaching, I often find myself experiencing a mix of emotions. Some days, I’m excited and ready to dive into preparing my family’s favorite recipes. Other days, I’m reminded of the darker side of this season—the part that aches with the absence of my parents, my brother, and loved ones who once filled our gatherings with laughter, stories, and warmth.

This pattern has been my norm for as long as I can remember. But I share this for a reason. A few years ago, I made a personal decision: I would not allow the weight of holiday grief to overshadow the beauty of the season. I would honor my loved ones

while still choosing joy, connection, and purpose.

So today, I want to offer a few tips that help me cope—especially when Thanksgiving arrives without my mother’s sweet potato pies. (In my opinion, she was one of the greatest cooks I’ve ever known.) I think of my youngest brother’s famous meatloaf, his dark shades, and that cool, collected energy that made him such a ladies’ man. I smile remembering my dad, a quiet soul who would sit back, calmly tell his stories, and make sure we knew exactly what he wanted on his plate.

That’s what Thanksgiving means to me: Family. Love. Sharing stories. Being connected.

My family has always had strong ties, and we've always found ways to make the holidays meaningful. But now, without the matriarch and patriarch of our family, it can be challenging to navigate “the most wonderful time of the year.” So how do we cope? How do we honor the past while still embracing the present?

Let me begin by saying this: As a life coach, I don’t claim to have all the answers. There are many ways to cope, and what works for me may not work for

everyone. But my goal is to share what has helped me—and hopefully spark ideas you can adapt in a way that supports your own heart and healing.

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1. I Allow Myself to Feel What I Feel

When I notice myself slipping into that emotional space of missing my loved ones, I don’t ignore it. I don’t rush past it. Instead, I allow myself to take the moment to cry if I need to. I reflect on their lives and the gifts they left behind. I revisit the funny stories, the small moments, the things each of them said or did that still make me smile. And then I ask myself a grounding question:

“How would they want me to spend my holidays?”

This brings me comfort. It gives me permission to acknowledge the grief, honor their memory, and then release the emotion so I can move forward. I may think of them again throughout the holiday season, but after giving myself space to feel and release, I’m better able to cope with their absence and embrace the joy that still exists.

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2. I Surround Myself With People Who Pour Into Me

Another powerful coping mechanism is gathering with family, friends, and loved ones—people who nourish my spirit. We celebrate the beauty of life, reflect on the blessings we’ve received throughout the year, and remind each other of how far we’ve come. We talk about the challenges we overcame, the lessons learned, and the ways God has carried us through seasons where we didn’t know how we would make it. Reflecting on God's goodness, His faithfulness, and His covering always brings a sense of renewal and hope.

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3. I Give Back—Because Giving Heals in Its Own Way

During the holiday season, one of the greatest sources of comfort for me is giving—to those who are less fortunate, to those who simply need a kind gesture, or even to someone who crosses my path unexpectedly. There’s something about giving from the heart that feels deeply grounding. It reminds me of how blessed I am and how impactful small acts of kindness can be. Seeing a smile on someone else’s face brings me gratitude, peace, and a sense of purpose.

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Final Thoughts: Choosing Joy While Honoring the Journey

The holidays can be both beautiful and challenging. They carry memories, emotions, and moments that tug at our hearts. But they also offer opportunities—opportunities to reflect, to reconnect, to give, and to embrace the love that still surrounds us. As I continue to navigate this season year after year, I remind myself of this truth: I can honor the people I miss while still choosing to live, love, and show up fully in the present.

Grief doesn’t disappear—but it doesn’t have to steal the beauty of the season either. With reflection, connection, and intentional giving, we can create new memories that honor the old ones and keep our loved ones close in spirit. And as you enter your own holiday season, I hope you give yourself permission to feel, to heal, and to embrace every moment with grace and purpose. You are not alone, and you are stronger than you know.