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If you're grieving, it can be hard to find comfort in what’s meant to be a joyful time. And if you're supporting someone who is grieving, it can be challenging to know how best to help. The good news is that there are strategies for both grievers and those who support them to make the holiday season a bit more manageable.
Grief is a universal experience, yet no two people grieve in exactly the same way. The nature of the loss can significantly shape how one processes and copes with grief. One of the most defining factors is whether the loss was sudden or anticipated. Both types of loss bring their own unique challenges and emotions, and understanding these differences can help in navigating the grieving process.
The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges. It brings with it a whirlwind of emotions—sorrow, confusion, and sometimes even anger. Among these emotions, guilt and regret often stand out, casting a long shadow over the grieving process. These feelings can be overwhelming, making it difficult to move forward. But understanding them is the first step toward healing.
Unlike conventional grief that follows a loss, anticipatory grief allows individuals to begin the process of mourning while the person is still alive. While it might seem that this early grieving could ease the transition after the loss, anticipatory grief brings its own set of challenges and emotions
In today's fast-paced professional environment, the well-being of employees has never been more crucial. Among various aspects of workplace wellness, the ability to support employees through grief is often overlooked.
As a widowed mom, this day brings a mix of emotions, but it also offers a chance to celebrate the love, strength, and resilience that define our families. Here’s how I navigate Father’s Day and turn it into a day of honor and remembrance.
Grief, with its crushing weight and unrelenting presence, often seems to leave little room for any other emotions. Yet, in the midst of mourning a profound loss, many people find themselves experiencing moments of joy, laughter, and even happiness. This unexpected intrusion of positive emotions can bring with it a heavy burden of guilt, leaving those in grief feeling conflicted and confused.
Grieving is a profoundly personal experience that can leave individuals feeling vulnerable and isolated. While friends and family often want to provide comfort, their well-intentioned actions can sometimes inadvertently cause more harm than good. Here’s a guide on what not to do ‘ supporting someone who is grieving.
In the labyrinth of human existence, death has always loomed as an enigmatic force, shrouded in mystery and superstition. Throughout history, cultures around the world have crafted intricate beliefs and rituals to navigate the transition from life to whatever lies beyond. In this exploration, we embark on a journey to unravel the intricate tapestry of superstitions surrounding death.
Let me be perfectly clear, widowhood as a whole is quite simply like being waterboarded with gasoline on a regular basis, but filing taxes as a widow is just another circle of hell… at least for me.
The term “Solo Parent” means that you have 100% sole responsibility for every aspect of your family unit. There is no support simply because, your spouse is deceased. Guest Author J. Lewis III gives insight into his experience with parenting after loss.
Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience, often accompanied by a range of emotions and challenges. While many are familiar with the primary loss—the initial event or death that triggers the grieving process—there's another aspect of grief that is equally important yet often overlooked: secondary loss.
In honor of Valentine’s day, I’m spreading the love by featuring a special blog written by my friend, colleague, and podcast co-host, J. Lewis III. He shares with us some beautiful insights on the ways we can honor our loved ones. Read on!
grief is commonly associated with loss and sadness, but it can be profoundly positive as it requires an evolution of self. There is transformative potential to be explored, as the deep relationship between embracing grief and self-fulfillment can lead to personal growth, resilience, and ultimately, fulfillment.
Dealing with the end of life can be difficult, You’re processing the inevitability of your loved one’s death and trying to learn on the fly all the things you’ll need to manage now that the end is in sight. How do you decide which supports to use? what’s available to you? When can you access end of life care? and did you know that something called a “Death Doula” exists? Many think that the only option is Hospice, but let’s take a closer look at what a Death Doula is, and how it differs from Hospice.
Estate planning is like creating a roadmap for your belongings after you're no longer around. It involves making decisions about how you want your assets to be handled and distributed, ensuring your loved ones are taken care of according to your wishes….
Trust me, you're going to want to read this…..
What is a Trust? Well, in terms of Estate planning and Probate, a Trust is a legal way of designating ownership over funds & assets. It is best described by Fidelity as a "fiduciary arrangement that allows third parties or trustees to hold assets on behalf of beneficiaries". Still confused? I don't blame you, let's dig a little deeper…..
Many people know what a Will is, or at least they think they do, but what they don’t know is the other legal pieces that operate in tandem with a Will. It’s called an “Estate Plan” and it can be quite complex. In this 3 part series, we will break down each piece and talk about some tips to make the process as seamless as possible.
I had the unique and incredible opportunity to speak with 5 individuals about their dad and the impact these men had on their lives. While all of the people I spoke to had varying relationships with their fathers, each of them conveyed a fondness and reverence for the values that these men instilled into them. I asked each of them how their fathers shaped who they are as adults, as parents, and as humans, looking to see where the ripples would potentially fall for my own children.
Craig had a weird obsession with holidays. He kept a list and an excel tracker sheet that he updated regularly which listed any and all observances he could find. He had it broken down by month, week, and day. At the beginning of every month, he would circulate an email, denoting the upcoming observances, and in some instances would decorate his work cubicle accordingly. He was especially fond of the less common knowledge holidays like January 11th being “learn your name in Morse code day”, or the first week of May is “Dog anxiety awareness week”, and a personal passion of his, October is “National cyber security awareness month”.
Many become trapped in the pitfalls of “Maladaptive coping behaviors” when dealing with grief. Maladaptive coping refers to strategies that, while providing temporary relief, ultimately hinder the grieving process. Grief already negatively impacts the physical body, causing a lowered immune system and creating an increased risk of illness & disease, but chronic stress on the body from poor choices can exacerbate conditions and cause things like headaches, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal issues. Read more to discover tips on eating well through grief.
I’ll be completely honest… I have no idea how to start this. So I’ll start it the same way I started every other hurdle I encountered along this grief journey, I just start.
All right recruits! This is it, the stuff you’ve been waiting for! Well, sort of. I mean, you don’t just run right into war without doing a few push-ups first, right? So for this lesson, we’re going to look at things you could do to put yourself in a better place for when you have to get shit done.
Like a clap of thunder that shakes the house windows… or the deafening BANG from a firework at a decibel you didn’t anticipate, The words “Time of death…” will ring painfully in your ears for a very long time.
You’ve selected a location, picked the music, decided on an officiant, and planned reception details…. It sounds almost like we’re planning a wedding, right? Close, we’re planning a funeral.
We define ourselves through a series of choices. These choices and how we present ourselves helps us find like minded people and better navigate the world around us. Things like hair color, body modifications, style choices, even the labels and pronouns we chose to use are an integral part of our self identity. One of the most obvious identifiers we chose is our name. As we grow up , our nickname evolves, we maybe change our signature and most commonly, we get married. We adopt a new prefix and become linked to another person by assuming their last name.
You know how when you’re making pancakes, the first one is always a little wonky? It’s not necessarily bad, sometimes you burn it, or it’s misshapen…. but usually it’s a learning curve to get it just right. Dating after experiencing the loss of a spouse is a lot like making pancakes. There is usually a mess to clean up, some get fed to the dog, but most likely, you’ll end up with something delicious and a growing confidence each time you do it. So how do you know if you’re ready to put yourself out there? Read more to find out!
As we’re racing the imposed clock that is set when someone dies, we are forced to figure out financial stability. how do you know what is safe to spend? What money do you have access to? And how do you protect your future financially? Read on to find out
For many, organized religion becomes a support during difficult times. It provides the feeling of being wrapped in a warm hug and we take solace in knowing our faith will guide us. Some people even find religion for the first time after experiencing a tragedy. When feeling lost, there can be comfort in knowing all of our trust is in God. For others, like myself, religion and “God” left us a long time ago and we feel an emptiness when someone offers the platitudes of faith during our struggles.
The New Year—a time often synonymous with fresh starts and hopeful resolutions—can feel profoundly different when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. While the world around you celebrates the promise of new beginnings, you might find yourself grappling with the ache of their absence and the uncertainty of moving forward without them.