Being together and having others to talk to with that understanding are two big takeaways from Carolina Caring’s “Grief Sharing Workshop: Surviving the Holidays,” said Andrea Haas, a grief counselor at the nonprofit health care provider. It helps them know they are not alone.

Haas said the workshop begins with the group watching a video, which usually lasts about 30 minutes, followed by discussion.

“It really helps to basically have the power of community and other people who understand that,” she said, talking about past holidays and how they’ll look after their losses, how things will be different, and so give them ways to cope.

Participants are provided with tools to take home and handouts offering additional information, “but I think the biggest reason most of them get there is just to talk to each other during the discussion if they want to share,” Haas said. “A great workshop.”

It’s a relaxed atmosphere and most people are willing to share and bounce ideas and brainstorm, but he said it’s optional.

She also added that it gives them the power to speak up and focus their attention on self-care and vacation needs.

“It may look different than it has in the past, and that’s okay,” Haas said. “If you don’t want to take a vacation this year, it’s okay to walk away. “You don’t have to force yourself to get into the Christmas spirit.”

Haas said self-care might look different and ideas for what that might include were some of the things participants brainstormed during the workshop.

Some ideas for how to take care of yourself might include starting new traditions, finding ways to remember loved ones, making gifts, and really focusing on things like eating well and sleeping well, taking walks, and getting sunlight. He said exercising and being outdoors also helps.

Being creative is a big thing, she said, “Really use that creativity, because it’s known to really help with grieving and feeling those emotions. You have to let others know what you need.”

Haas said winter and early darkness can be difficult even in good situations, but adding grief to that and special memories makes it even more difficult. Therefore, they can “let the holiday be different” and kind of give themselves permission.

Participants in this particular workshop are often people in the early years of grief and “trying to establish a new normal,” Haas said; But anyone can participate. There were also people who experienced losses eight years ago.

“Grief has no timeline,” he said. “Everyone’s pain is different. Everyone is welcome.

He said that the workshop was for adults and would not be suitable for children. On December 14, the “Glitter Grief” program for children ages 6-14 who are struggling with grief will be held. At this event, they will do more hands-on activities, create keepsake ornaments for memory boxes and other items they can take home and share with their family.

Haas, the children’s counselor, said the idea of ​​using glitter was to show that grief, like glitter, does not go away.

There is no limit on how many people can sign up as there are multiple locations to attend the Sharing Pain workshop. He said no one who suffered a loss would be turned away.

The holidays are already difficult for many, Haas said, and when you’re grieving and thinking everyone is home with their loved ones, “it brings up a lot of emotions.”

When people feel a certain way and think there’s something wrong with them because of it, Haas said, this workshop can help them “validate their feelings and also enable them to do what they need to do for themselves.” Help them be with others.

“That’s not really what we offer,” he said. “They’re talking to each other.”

This free workshop is available online and at Carolina Caring’s China Grove facility, 301 E. Centerview St. It will be offered at four in-person locations, including , on November 12 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, with registration required by November 1st. 5.

Additional locations First United Methodist Church, 217 St. Germain Ave., SE, Valdese, and two other Carolina Caring facilities will be 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, and 9735 Kincey Ave., Suite 202, Huntersville.

The online workshop, which will be facilitated by Haas, will be held on November 7 between 17:30-19:30 using the Zoom platform. Registration is required by November 1.

To sign up, go to: CarolinaCaring.org/supportCall 828-466-0466, ext. 3201 or email [email protected].