Navigating grief and Christmas time | Julia Samuel | #043 Mastering Change

Christmas can intensify grief. Familiar rituals, memories and traditions can exacerbate the feelings of absence and bring more emotional pain to the surface. 

In this episode of Mastering Change, psychotherapist Julia Samuel shares what years of supporting grieving individuals have taught her about love, loss and the support people need most. She explains how grief is held in the body, how the brain struggles to catch up with the reality of loss, and why “pain is the agent of change” in helping us adjust. 

Julia describes the dual process of grieving – moving between feeling the pain and intentionally taking breaks from it – and why slowing down is key for staying grounded during overwhelming moments. She offers concrete guidance for navigating the festive season: having honest conversations with family, creating rituals that acknowledge the person who has died, taking sensory breaks to regulate, and setting aside time to remember so the person “doesn’t die twice.” 

She also introduces the Griefworks app, with practical tools, meditations and reflective exercises to help people meet their grief with compassion. 

We explore

• Why grief is so physical 
• How slowing down supports emotional regulation 
• Practical steps for coping with grief at Christmas 
• The importance of continuing bonds and remembering 
• How guided tools like Griefworks offer support when it's most needed 

Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. 

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast

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