In Week 2 of our Grieving Through the Holidays Advent Series, we move from honoring memories to fully feeling what is bubbling up inside.

Our focus is about feeling the feelings and holding space for where you are right now. In a season full of busyness, expectations, and emotional triggers, grief tends to be ever present. When we give our grief room to breathe, we also make space for healing, relief, and even unexpected moments of gratitude. Without grief, it would be tough to feel joy. 

Lisa shares how emotions surface for her during the holidays, why crying can be deeply cathartic, and how sitting in the glow of Christmas tree lights or sipping hot chocolate can offer grounding warmth. She invites listeners to identify the emotion bubbling up for them this week, feel it fully, and then choose a comforting practice to support themselves afterward.

This week’s practices include:

• A journal or voice-memo prompt: What emotion is surfacing for you right now, and how can you allow yourself to feel it?
• A doing prompt: Cook a recipe that reminds you of your loved one—and capture the story behind it. Lisa shares a meaningful (and funny!) chicken pot pie story from her mom that still brings comfort today.

Whether you're grieving, caregiving, missing someone deeply, or simply navigating a tough season, this episode is an invitation to slow down, feel what needs to be felt, and give yourself grace.

To follow along with the prompts throughout Advent, join the community on Instagram and Facebook @givinggriefgrace, or email "Advent" to hello@lisahartung.com to receive the weekly reflections.

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Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you next week!

If you'd like to support my journey to see a world without pancreatic cancer, please consider donating to my NYC Marathon Project Purple fundraising page.

Special thanks to:

Podcast Editor Jacqueline van Bierk of Pink Star Music

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