Alice stared at the unlit candles on her table. Grief had stolen so much from her. Now, it seemed it had taken away the joy of Thanksgiving too. Family were on their way, but she couldn’t muster up the energy to finish setting the table. What Alice really wanted was to crawl back into bed until Thanksgiving was over. This year, she had become a member in the club no one wants to be in...widowhood. Loss can rob your sense of hope. It can … [Read more...]
Finding Your Path During the Month of Love
Sometimes seeing red hearts and cupids in the store windows hurts. Sometimes witnessing the special smiles that couples share is painful. Sometimes the reminders of love deepen your grief. For some, this will be the first Valentine's Day since your Valentine died. February is the month of Love, but it can be difficult if you are grieving. The Old Letting go of what used to be is not an act of disloyalty. It does not mean forgetting the love … [Read more...]
The New Year’s Gift for a Widow: The Butterfly
As I began to write the first blog of this year, my mind immediately went to all the positive resolutions and “new beginnings” everyone focuses on. But, what if you are a widow? What if life is far from positive right now? You may feel you are stuck between the life you had and the life you feel you are now forced to endure. As a coach, what resonates for me is the journey of transformation you are on. When I think of transformation, I reflect … [Read more...]
During the Holidays, Grief Cannot Be Shopped Away
Overspending during the holidays can be a serious risk for grieving spouses struggling to make difficult emotional and sometimes financial adjustments after their loss. For many widows, holidays are the hardest part of grieving. When you have lost someone special, your world loses its celebratory qualities. Holidays can magnify this. All those jingling bells and fa-la-la-la-las can become an unintentional backdrop for pain. These emotions can … [Read more...]
5 Check-in Points of Self-Care for Widows
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...]
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...]
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...]
