00:30

When The Holidays Feel Heavy

by Cathy Doherty

Rated
5
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
6

Sometimes the festive season doesn't feel bright or joyful, and that's ok. This gentle meditation offers space for whatever you're feeling, sadness, stress, or simply exhaustion. Take a few quiet moments to breathe, soften, and find comfort in stillness. You are not alone, and peace is still possible here.

MeditationGriefEmotional SupportSelf CompassionStressVisualizationBreathworkGroundingLonelinessRelaxationGrief SupportEmotional ValidationHoliday Stress ManagementLight VisualizationBreath AwarenessGrounding TechniqueLoneliness Support

Transcript

Welcome.

I'm glad you could join me.

If you found your way here,

You might be moving through this season with a heavy heart.

Maybe you're missing someone.

Maybe you're feeling disconnected or simply overwhelmed by the world around you.

Whatever brings you here,

This is a safe space,

A quiet moment to pause,

To breathe and to honour what is present within you.

There's no need to feel festive.

There's no need to fix what you feel.

Just allow yourself to be here as you are.

The holidays can bring up so many emotions.

We're surrounded by messages of joy,

Connection and togetherness.

But not everyone's experience matches that picture.

Sometimes the music and the lights only make the silence feel louder.

If that's true for you right now,

Please know you're not alone.

Grief,

Loneliness or quiet sadness,

They're all part of being human.

Take a slow breath in and a slow breath out.

Let the breath make space around whatever you're carrying.

You don't have to force gratitude or positivity.

You don't have to pretend you're okay.

Simply breathing with what is.

That too is healing.

Now,

If you can,

Gently bring a hand to your heart.

Feel the warmth of your own touch.

You are here.

You are doing your best.

Whisper softly to yourself.

It's okay to feel this way.

I am allowed to rest.

I am allowed to be gentle with myself.

Imagine a soft,

Steady light glowing beneath your hand.

A reminder that even when life feels dim,

Your inner light still flickers quietly within you.

That small light of awareness of care,

Of being present,

That's what carries you through.

If it feels right,

Bring to mind one thing or one person that you're missing or holding close in your heart.

Let yourself remember with tenderness,

Not pressure.

You might whisper a quiet thank you.

Or simply imagine wrapping that memory,

That emotion,

In light,

Giving it permission to rise.

Let yourself feel the warmth of your own touch.

Imagine a soft,

Steady light glowing beneath your hand.

Imagine a soft,

Steady light glowing beneath your heart.

Imagine a soft,

Steady light glowing beneath your heart.

It's okay if the peace is small.

Small peace is still peace.

As we come to the end of this reflection,

Feel the ground beneath you again.

Notice your breath.

Notice that you've made it through this moment.

One breath,

One heartbeat,

One gentle awareness at a time.

Whisper softly,

Even in this quiet,

I am held in love.

Carry that thought with you into the rest of your day or night.

You don't have to rush towards joy.

Just allow stillness,

Allow truth,

Allow gentleness to be enough.

Thank you for being with me today.

Meet your Teacher

Cathy DohertyUnited Kingdom

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© 2026 Cathy Doherty. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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