Our 3rd annual ART+WINE+MUSIC event was a night to remember! Thank you to all who came out to support Pelican Cove and mental health. There is still time to help us reach our goal of raising 50k, and every dollar counts! All of your donations go directly to providing therapy sessions.
Challenged by her friend that there must be bigger and better ways of helping those in need, Mother Teresa answered,
"I do not agree with a big way of doing things. What matters is the individual. If we wait till we get numbers, then we will be lost in the numbers and we will never be able to show that love and respect for the person."
Pelican Cove is making a difference one person at a time; we ask you to join our cause.
As we begin to ease into Fall, the remainder of 2022 is also on the horizon. With this time period comes the last of our yearly celebrations, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and so on leading to the New Year. There can be lots of excitement around the corner for individuals and families alike, but also times of gloom and “holiday blues” from missing shared experiences with loved ones.
Together, we will dive into a few approaches to coping with grief during the holidays and how to hold space for all experiences. At Pelican Cove, we push for inclusive backgrounds and lived hardships to be shared and treated in long-term therapy that may help improve your mental health.
Confronting Emotions: One way to cope with grief is to address any emotions that you feel are tied to this time period. This action will become a strong anchor point to reflect on and navigate through, as many will find themselves avoiding any interactions and associations with heartfelt memories. Though running toward the feelings can be a fearful process, it can also be an opportunity to create novel and fruitful experiences that may reshape any previously linked meanings.
Loved Ones and Boundaries: Furthermore, a person can surround themselves with loved ones while setting boundaries around gatherings. Family time and holiday parties tend to be a grand pressure point for folks who are not ready to attend and potentially face delicate relational dynamics. Allow for free expression about your current state-of-mind as well as your wants and needs from each event, even if it means only staying for a short while. Be sure to check-in with yourself and examine what feels right for you.
Healthy Coping Skills: Lastly, look into some coping skills that are best tailored to yourself. Whether you are alone or with friends and family, it can be helpful to have a set of coping skills which you can tune into during times when grief feels most present. Some common strategies include: hiking, meditating, practicing yoga, painting, going for walks, and creating journal prompts and/or validating affirmations. For instance, I find myself engaging in about 10 minutes per day to practice mindfulness and deep breathing exercises to center myself when grief becomes abundant. Take the opportunity to look into actionable steps that allow space from your thoughts, room to feel grounded, and alignment with the present moment.
If you find yourself struggling with subtle or intense grief during the holidays, please do not hesitate to contact us. The holiday season comes with a wide array of experiences and challenges that often go unaddressed, yet each difficulty is welcome to be worked on in our space.
We will be more than happy to assist you on your journey of growth and healing here at Pelican Cove.