Take A Break From the Labor of Grief this Labor Day
3 Minute Read
Labor Day and Grief
Labor means work. In fact, it often means “hard work.” Grief work is hard labor too.
Don’t underestimate the kind of work that a grieving person does every day, though it may often be done silently, discreetly and is often invisible to others.
In our country, much of the workforce, with the exception of some industries such as retail, transportation, and hospitality, is not expected to work on Labor Day.
Take A Day Off
In my grief counseling practice, I often recommend that my clients try to take a holiday off from the labor of grieving on Labor Day. I know it sounds impossible, and it might be… but it’s worth a try.
It could really be liberating to make a conscious effort to say, “Today, I will not really work with my grief. I’ll try to give myself a time-out from dealing with my feelings, and thoughts and ruminations and images in my mind.”
Wouldn’t it be such a relief to give grief one day off?
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
Give it a Try
So, try to relax, breathe, watch a movie, read a fun, easy book, go out with friends, or do something else recreational…or anything…other than grief. That just might be the best holiday you could give yourself this Labor Day (Monday Sept. 4).
Maybe try some of the 23 Summer Activity Ideas to Soak Up The Last Moments of Summer from Country Living even if you want to do it alone.
If you’re invited to a barbecue or a party or an outing and you feel like going, enjoy yourself. If you feel like being alone, feel free to tell your friends or relative that you’re just not up for it next year. And hopefully you can join them next year.
Just try to give yourself and your grief a really big break. You deserve it.
Suggested Reading
The website www.refugeingrief.com (by Megan Devine, the author of It’s Okay That You’re Not Okay) has an article with more information about Labor Day and grief that you might find helpful too.
Ask For Help
When grief is overwhelming, expert support can help. To determine if a grief counselor can benefit you press one of the buttons below, visit www.jillgriefcounselor.com, or email me at jillgriefcounselor@gmail.com.
