Quarterlife Center - Counseling for Young Adults

  The past or anticipated death of someone we love can be especially difficult during the holiday season, a time when many people around us are celebrating with close family and friends. Rather than being a time of celebration, it can sometimes become filled with sadness, longing, and emptiness. Here are some tips to help you get through this holiday season: Allow yourself to acknowledge that this time of year might be different or difficult and that it’s okay for it to feel this way. Make a plan for where, when and with whom you want to celebrate the holiday. You might want to change your traditions or plans to accommodate the fact that this year feels different and you might need more/different support. Try to anticipate and communicate your needs to others you will be with during the holidays. Consider picking out a gift for yourself that reminds you of the person you’ve lost (favorite music, hobby you’ve shared, picture frame, charm or ornament etc.). Give yourself permission t...

  The holidays can be an extremely difficult time for those experiencing infertility. Holiday gatherings can cause anxiety, sadness, and even jealousy–it’s hard to see women who are pregnant or a family that has the baby that you are longing for. If you are dreading this holiday season, here are 5 tips to make it more bearable: Change of Plans If you are feeling overwhelmed by holiday festivities this year, it is okay to change your plans. Think about the parts of the holiday that are important to you this year and consider ways to prioritize those experiences and ditch the rest. Detox Social media and photo holiday cards can be especially triggering for some during the holiday season. Consider going on a digital detox and limiting your exposure during the holidays. If you find you are having difficulty, make a plan for opening holiday cards, which can include waiting until after the holidays to open them, or opening them with a friend or partner present. Plan Ahead Holiday gatheri...

  Some people love the holidays. Come November 1, they can’t wait to put up their Christmas tree, invite friends and family over for Thanksgiving celebrations, and host gift exchanges. Yet, for so many others, the holidays can be a difficult time. When you reunite with family you haven’t seen all year (or maybe many years due to the pandemic), you’re often forced to confront topics about your education, career, romantic relationships, and in some cases, trauma. If you’re not ready for that, you’re not alone. If you’re wondering, “How should I approach this holiday season?” Keep reading! We’re here to help with some tips and tricks that can help you feel more at ease during this time of high emotions. 1. Identify how you’re feeling. If you’re having mixed emotions about the upcoming holidays, that’s completely normal. The holidays are already a difficult time for a lot of people, and when you add the complications of a pandemic on top of that, it only makes it more challenging. Take...

  The past or anticipated death of someone we love can be especially difficult during the holiday season, a time when many people around us are celebrating with close family and friends. Rather than being a time of celebration, it can sometimes become filled with sadness, longing, and emptiness. Here are some tips to help you  get through this holiday season : Allow yourself to acknowledge that this time of year might be different or difficult and that it’s okay for it to feel this way. Make a plan for where, when, and with whom you want to celebrate the holiday. You might want to change your traditions or plans to accommodate the fact that this year feels different and you might need more/different support. Try to anticipate and communicate your needs to others you will be with during the holidays. Consider picking out a gift for yourself that reminds you of the person you’ve lost (favorite music, a hobby you’ve shared, picture frame, charm or ornament, etc.). Give yourself p...

  As  Thanksgiving   approaches, you’re probably thinking about all the things you have to be grateful for this year. This  holiday   is often our reminder of all the blessings in our lives…even if the year has been a tough one. For many, gratitude has either been an incredibly easy or an overwhelmingly difficult thing for the past couple of years. With a pandemic, racial justice issues, climate change, financial crises, food insecurity, gender equality, and so much more, learning how gratitude fits into your “new normal” may feel daunting. Here’s what we recommend if you’re struggling this year or just want to remind yourself how to focus on appreciation and thankfulness. What is Gratitude? Gratitude is the ability to recognize the goodness in your life. This “goodness” could be due to your surroundings, the actions of another person or group of people, opportunities you’ve been given, or your own hard work. Being grateful is a virtuous quality that provides yo...

  The holidays can be an extremely difficult time for those experiencing infertility. Holiday gatherings can cause  anxiety, sadness, and even jealousy   –it’s hard to see women who are pregnant or  a family   that has the baby that you are longing for. If you are dreading this holiday season, here are 5 tips to make it more bearable: Change of Plans If you are feeling overwhelmed by holiday festivities this year, it is okay to change your plans. Think about the parts of the holiday that are important to you this year and consider ways to prioritize those experiences and ditch the rest. Detox Social media and photo holiday cards can be especially triggering for some during the holiday season. Consider going on a digital detox and limiting your exposure during the holidays. If you find you are having difficulty, make a plan for opening holiday cards, which can include waiting until after the holidays to open them, or opening them with a friend or partner present....