As the year ends, the darkness grows. Minute by minute. Just before Christmas is the longest night of the year. The holidays are celebrations of love and generosity and joy. But they're also bleak and painful to many — like women going through separation and divorce. So how do you cling to the hope of coming light in your blackest hours? How do you live with the dark as you wait for the dawn? Here’s my story and what I’ve learned. In this episode: - The honest truth about the dark hole I was in for my first two Christmases as a single mom of nine children - Three practical tips for dealing with the pain of busted-up holidays as a survivor (and by practical, I mean easy and doable without causing a mental breakdown) - Why you should ask questions about loneliness and grief instead of resenting or dulling them - How to reframe the idea that you’re just a hot mess (News Flash: Nobody’s life is like their Christmas card) - Proof that your brain is super smart and super ridiculous (and how to utilize the smartness and not the part that keeps you looped in crappy, self-fulfilling prophecies) Listen or download the transcript at flyingfreenow.com/148 FREE: I'll send you the first chapter of my book, Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage. Just hop on my mailing list at flyingfreesisterhood.com/free-download. (I will NEVER spam you or sell your information.) Desperate for real help and safe people who understand what you're going through? Find out about my online education and support program for women of faith at joinflyingfree.com And, if you are an already divorced Christian woman who wants to take back her life and get healthy, have amazing relationships, build a business or career, or even find a good man - check out joinflyinghigher.com