Articles

by Litsa Williamshttps://whatsyourgrief.com Holiday grief triggers are everywhere, we don't have to tell you that. Opening that box of decorations is difficult enough. If you felt some combination of overwhelm, tears, nausea, and numbness when you found your deceased family member's Christmas stocking, you're not alone. It is one of those intense reminders of your loved one's absence. And then you're left with the flood of questions: what do I do with my a dead loved one's stocking? Is it okay to hang...

by Julie Gentzhttps://timeinabottle.blog I don’t know about you, but the build up to Christmas Day has been a tough one this year. The closer it got to the day, the harder it was to continue faking that “jolly Christmas spirit” that is expected of everyone, unfairly, even for those of us who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Bear with me while I give you a little background to my train of thought behind my post today. When...

by Maria Kubitzhttps://www.aliveinmemory.org “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s a catchy tune and plays on heavy rotation during December. Sparkling lights and decorations adorn many houses and stores. Holiday advertisements, shows, and songs saturate the airwaves. Cards from relatives, friends and vendors arrive day after day in the mail. Party invitations are sure to follow. You can’t help but see the joy and excitement in the faces of children and adults alike. The problem is, there are a...

by Lisa K. Boehmhttps://www.griefsupportformoms.com This time of year can be one of the hardest for those who have lost a child. How can we be thankful when there is a huge void in our family, empty chair at the table, and a gaping wound in our heart. We miss what once was: a happy, healthy family unit, wonderful family memories, special traditions that we created together and favourite foods that brought joy. These are called secondary losses. Each of those things...

by Nancy Bernshttps://www.nancyberns.com Rosie walked into the house carrying her famous apple pie. Everyone was happy to see her — and the pie — but also cautious. Rosie’s husband, Simon, died two years ago, and holiday family gatherings have never been the same. No one is sure what to say. They do not want to make Rosie cry by mentioning Simon. Rosie does her best to fit in and not dampen the festive mood, but her eyes and faint smile tell...

by Green Day [Verse 1]Summer has come and passedThe innocent can never lastWake me up when September endsLike my father's come to passSeven years has gone so fastWake me up when September ends[Chorus]Here comes the rain againFalling from the starsDrenched in my pain againBecoming who we areAs my memory restsBut never forgets what I lostWake me up when September ends[Verse 2]Summer has come and passedThe innocent can never lastWake me up when September endsRing out the bells againLike we did...

Words by Hannah Morrisseyhttps://www.eterneva.com Nature is a force, one to which we are intricately connected. If you have ever suffered the loss of a loved one, then you may already have experienced firsthand how grief tends to change with the seasons.  Whether trees are budding or being stripped of their leaves, or a magical snowfall is dusting the streets, each new season brings fresh reminders of loss. This is called seasonal grief. Not to be mistaken for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), seasonal grief...

by Eleanor Haleyhttps://whatsyourgrief.com My mother's death anniversary was this past week, October 23rd to be exact. As soon as the fall weather hit, I could feel it approaching. I will forever associate the colorful leaves, cool breeze, and crisp air of Autumn with the helplessness I felt seven years ago knowing my mother could slip from life at any moment. This year, as with past years, I spent time thinking about how I would cope with the day, I even started...

by Litsa Williamshttps://whatsyourgrief.com Grief boundaries. They're a thing. Chances are you didn't know they were a thing before your loss. You probably wouldn't have guessed just how important they would be. But if grief is part of your life, it can be incredibly helpful to think through your boundaries. What Are Boundaries? Boundaries are specific limits and needs that you define to create a healthy space between you and another person. They allow you to feel healthy, safe, and comfortable....

by Kelly Buckleyhttps://www.opentohope.com When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate...

Anita Chauhanhttps://eirenecremations.com/blog/how-to-set-boundaries When you’ve experienced a loss, things aren’t always as cut and dry as some blogs, resources, and social narratives may lead you to believe. The truth is, we all have very different ways of navigating these challenging and fluctuating emotions. The key is to remember that there is no set way to react, and there is no easy way to pass through the stages of grief (there aren’t even any real “stages,” if we want to be honest).If...

by Georgena Graceintegratedwellbeinginstitute.com  Grief can be a dark place, especially when one is in Fragile or Raw grief. When we’re in these states, it can be difficult to see the flickers of light unless we’re actively looking for them. Today, we’re going to talk about how to find the glimmers of good in grief. What can be considered a glimmer of good? Let’s talk about what good actually means in this context. It’s the flash of light from a firefly in the...