A Month of Trials and Giving

Up on the housetop, click, click, click,
Down through the chimney with old St. Nick ​

Oh wait wrong month! Does anyone else feel like this year is flying by? 
As we enter into this time of year, there is a lot of joy in the air, but you may not be feeling this joy and it can be shame inducing.

Do you dread this time of year? Knowing that it can bring or be a reminder of difficult times. 

• Maybe you lost someone and the holidays just don’t feel the same without them. 
• Maybe certain family relationships are hard and this time of year forces them and reminds you of their difficulty. 
• Maybe you just lost your job at the most inopportune time of year.
• Maybe you don’t have family nearby so this time of year feels extra lonely. 
• Maybe holidays are triggering. They are a dark reminder of your trauma. 

Maybe it’s one of the above or something different. Either way, holidays can be tough. They are tough because everyone is joyous during this time of year and it doesn’t feel like you are allowed to be sad. This makes it extra difficult to share that you are struggling, because so many others are SOOO excited, and therefore it feels really lonely and isolating. 

I want to take a moment right now to give you permission to feel however you feel. Whether it’s happy, sad, angry, lonely, or confused. Whatever the emotion may be, let it be. It’s kind of like Facebook during a difficult breakup. The last thing that you want to see is other happy couples, but sometimes you torture yourself and make yourself log on. Don’t torture yourself. Don’t force yourself to act happy when you’re not, just let yourself be where you are at. The worst thing you can do for yourself is pretend to feel something that you don’t. This takes more effort than just letting yourself be and being true to yourself during this time. Some helpful things during this time may be: 

• Go do your favorite activity during the holidays (doesn't have to be holiday related). Take extra care of yourself. 
• Acknowledge your needs during this time and be willing to give them some attention. 
• Possibly share where you are at with a trusted someone, so they can help support you. 
• Don’t feel like you have to pretend. 
• Allow yourself to be okay with where you are at with your emotions. 
• Reach out to a therapist for some extra support. This can be something that is helpful just during the holidays, if you feel like you do not have anyone else.

​How can you acknowledge your needs and give them the attention they need during this holiday season?

Reminder: You don't have to face this difficult time alone. 

Sending a virtual hug and love, 
Brittany Wingfield

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November is the month of giving!

Welcome to November!! For the month of November, Nurtured Hearts Counseling is all about giving! Around this time of year, one of my favorite things is that we get to be grateful for what we have and give to others who may not be as fortunate. 

I love giving. Which is part of the reason why I absolutely love my job. I get to be part of many people's lives and care about them and show them support. Which for some, this may be a first. There is nothing greater than this. ​

Schedule your appointment now to help give back to the community! For every session during the week of Thanksgiving, 10% will be donated to the Denver Rescue Mission. 

The Denver Rescue Mission strives to help those who are experiencing homelessness. 

Follow along on Facebook to engage in the month of giving! 

All throughout the month of November, Nurtured Hearts will be giving a variety of gifts away! This week, was a FREE copy of the new Loved Ones Course that was just released! 

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P.S. Are you interested in learning more about how to support a Survivor of Sexual Abuse? I developed an online course that you will help educate you on what the Survivor is experiencing and how you can help support them!

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