Episode 80: When the Holidays Don’t Feel the Same: Healing, Grief & Finding Peace After Toxic Relationships

Episode 80: When the Holidays Don’t Feel the Same: Healing, Grief & Finding Peace After Toxic Relationships

12:54 Dec 19, 2025
About this episode
In this deeply personal episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie opens up about how the holidays can feel different—lonelier, quieter, or unexpectedly emotional—especially after walking through heartbreak, divorce, or the loss of family traditions.Midlife brings new realities: children growing up, parents passing on, relationships ending, and identities shifting. What once made the season magical—the gatherings, the laughter, the sense of belonging—can now stir up grief, longing, or uncertainty about where we fit.Through her own story of midlife change, divorce, and rediscovering faith, Lizzie offers encouragement for women who find the holidays bittersweet. She reminds us that we can grieve what’s gone, honor what was, and still find comfort and meaning in what remains.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why the holidays often trigger grief after toxic relationships or lossHow to handle loneliness when family traditions or roles changeThe emotional shift from being “the one who made the magic happen” to finding peace in stillnessFaith-based encouragement for navigating change and rediscovering yourselfWays to rebuild new traditions with grace and self-compassionEven when your world feels different, peace is still possible. Healing doesn’t mean pretending—it means allowing yourself to feel, to grow, and to find joy again.?? Stay Connected with Us! ? Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 ? Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel ? Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie ? Our book is available on Amazon: Love With Eyes Wide Open: Teaching Our Daughters to Recognize Red Flags and God's Voice in Relationships Not sure what you’re noticing yet? ? Get your FREE Discernment Checklist ? https://the-matadoras.kit.com/survivingtoxicrelationships Contact us anytime at our email: care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org ? Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships
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