Grief can be overwhelming. Have you done a self check-in recently? If not, here is a quick coaching exercise to help you connect with yourself. Self-assessment can open the space for awareness, allowing you to continue healing toward recovery and renewal. For each of the following self-care areas, ask yourself the following: Where do I need to takecare of MYSELF more? How satisfied am I currentlyin this area? Score out of 10(1 is low, 10 … [Read more...]
Social Security Survivor’s Benefits: How Much Can A Widow Receive & When?
The loss of the family wage earner can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. Knowing what you can receive as a survivor’s benefit is the first step in getting your financial needs in order. From a widow’s perspective, it is important to know you may be eligible to survivor’s benefits available for yourself, your children, and his parents, if they were dependent on him. How much can I receive? The survivor benefit amount is based on … [Read more...]
Purposeful Grieving for Widows: Choosing Your Thoughts
Your grief is deep, personal, and private. You do, however, share characteristics with others in your style of grieving. Most people fall into two categories: Intuitive and Instrumental. Developed through the research of prominent psychologists Kenneth Doka and Terry Martin, these characteristics help people move through the grief process. Intuitives tend to experience grief as a deep feeling they must express and talk through, often … [Read more...]
Creating Your Own Life Buoy: Getting Organized After Loss
Grief causes confusion. The brain is functioning differently. There are several levels of conscious thinking going on at the same time. You are not going crazy. Most widows seem to experience some memory loss and confusion during this period. Scientifically, it’s called “cognitive disconnect”. This is why you must write everything down. It will be imperative for you to stay organized during the months ahead. Realize that your judgment—your … [Read more...]
Small Actions…Big Difference: 14 Actions to Help You Move Through Your Grief
Many widows have shared with me there are times when, “they just need a break from their emotions.” In the midst of grief, it seems that the smallest of activities can have the biggest impact. Here are 14 Actions to Help You Move Through Your Grief: Lie in the sun streaming in through your windows. Bathe in the sun and breathe deeply. Designate an afternoon or evening and take the phone off the hook. When you are worried or obsessing, set … [Read more...]
Legal Jargon: 7 Terms A Widow Must Know Immediately
Don’t let legal jargon overwhelm you. Here are seven basic terms to help you navigate the legal language most often used immediately after the loss of your husband. Decedent – The person who has died. Another word for the deceased. Probate - The court process by which a Will is proved valid or invalid. The legal process wherein the estate of a decedent is administered and property is distributed to the heirs. Will – A document stating … [Read more...]
Reacting To Your Loss: Financial Do’s and Don’ts
Your husband’s death can leave you in uncharted waters, not only emotionally and spiritually, but financially as well. Here is a quick checklist to help you build awareness about what to avoid and what tasks to address early on: Don’t put your house on the market (doing this too soon is single biggest mistake widows make). Don’t give away money to your children or charity. Don’t sell stocks, bonds, or any other investments. Don’t agree … [Read more...]
Values + Pursuing New Life Fulfillment: 3 Questions to Get You Started
After the deep grieving stage, many widows share they continue to feel they are merely ‘existing’ through their daily activities and those ever-silent weekends. Powerful questions put a halt to evasion and confusion. You are invited to clarity, action, and discovery of your values at a whole new level. Open-ended questions can create a greater possibility for expanded learning and gaining a fresh perspective. What is one thing you would … [Read more...]
3 Emotional Strength Builders for Widows
Undoubtedly experiencing loss and grief is a painful process. When someone we love dies, it is natural to feel shattered; that what remains of our lives is empty and in pieces. Remember though, it is the way to healing. Here are 3 ways to begin to rebuild emotional strength: Awareness - Recognize what is happening and expect highs and lows. Recognize that your inner world is a ‘construction zone’ and you will need to slowdown in the work … [Read more...]
