Dear Dougy

Valentine's Day is one of the many holidays that shift and change while grieving. As with so many other holidays, the lead-up can be really hard. Advertisements and casual conversations about plans can leave grieving people left out, or eager to flee. In this episode of Grief Out Loud, Jana and Brendon talk about strategies for approaching Valentine's Day in a way that opens up space to express love and appreciation. Some ideas mentioned in this episode: Decide on what traditions you and/or your children want to uphold and then figure out who will be responsible for what. Connect with others you find to be supportive - this might look like setting up a phone call, email chat,  or getting together for dinner. Schedule some self-care that feels replenishing: go for a hike,  check out a new movie, take a yoga class, meet up with friends,  journal, or cook a nourishing meal. Ask your kids what helps them feel energized or calm - we sometimes forget that kids need self-care too. Volunteer for an organization or e