Giving Ourselves Permission to Be Different

Last week, we talked about the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, particularly during the holidays. We explored how difficult it can be when the people around us expect us to participate, celebrate, or behave as we always have.
But grief changes us. Sometimes the traditions that once brought us joy now bring sadness. Sometimes we want to be surrounded by family, and other times we need solitude.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of grief is learning to give ourselves permission to be different from who we were before our loss.
Thursday evening, I'd like us to explore what it means to make room for our grief without feeling that we must explain, justify, or apologize for it.