Blog
Grief Triggers and a Haunted Halloween
For those grieving a loved one, any holiday can be difficult, even Halloween.
Planning to connect with Halloween celebrations this year? You may feel more like the holiday is a “trick” than a “treat.”
Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur Focuses On Life And Death— Difficult Hours for Those Grieving a Recent Death
The holiday, Yom Kippur, which occurs in a few days, is considered one of the High Holy Days in the Jewish calendar. The High Holidays – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – are also .... read more.
August 30 is National Grief Awareness Day
National Grief Awareness Day is Angie Cartwright’s attempt to properly address grief and how we deal with it to end the stigma. It has become a movement of people dedicated to showing compassion for others and striving to educate those who hold a negative attitude towards grief.
It’s Summertime, the Light, Fun Season… Unless You’re Grieving a Loved One
Here we are in the midst of summertime. The days are long and from sunrise to sunset, there is an emphasis on enjoying summer fun, with a cheerful smile on your face.
But what if you were just hit with the most awful experience of a lifetime?
All Grief Matters. Your Relationship to the Deceased Should not be Judged. Your Grief is not Forbidden.
Two people may experience the same loss, but one may find that some loss is socially sanctioned or publicly mourned, whereas in another person’s is not. … read more
Father’s Day Grief: Absence of Your Father or Your Child on This Day
I know it’s a tough one. Every June, without fail, Father’s Day is on the calendar. Every year, my grieving clients ask me what to do, how to handle it, and tell me just hard the holiday can be for them. Here is my advice…
Can Grievers Take a “Grief-cation”?
Vacations are for everyone! Grievers, included.
In my grief counseling practice, my clients often express the concern that if they go on vacation after a loved one dies, people might think that they are not grieving their loved one since they’re choosing to escape to somewhere enjoyable.
May Is Mental Health Awareness Month -- Grief IS Part of Mental Health
Every May is the designated Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. It also draws attention to… read more…
Grief Affects Your Relationships
Life’s big tragedies can wreak havoc on the person who endures them. But also, that person’s relationship with others can be affected too. And so it is with grief.
ANXIETY! Some Grievers Face High Anxiety Every Day.
For some people, after experiencing the death of a loved one, anxiety is a full-time experience, with little relief in sight… it is even suggested that it could be considered an additional stage of grief.
Grief Comes In Waves... Like An Ocean Of Emotion
In my grief counseling practice, I often talk to my clients about how GRIEF COMES IN WAVES. And it’s not just a line I throw around; it’s a fact.
March Comes in Like a Lion and Goes Out Like a Lamb
There is an old proverb that says that the month of March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, with regard to the weather. Can this be true of grief too? Yes, it can. Here’s how.
When You Want to See a Sign From Your Deceased Loved One
After-death communication (ADC) experiences are certainly not a new trend. They have been around for a long time and in other parts of the world, they are even discussed openly with relatives and friends, without fear of being considered “crazy” or having a wild imagination.
Valentine’s Day After My Loved One Died
Here we are, coming up on another Valentine’s Day. Another Febuary 14 appearing on our calendars and at a Hallmark store near us. And there are just way too many little sugar candy hearts with imprinted sayings dominating the grocery store aisles.
Can Grief Make You Sick? It Sure Can.
Grief can create physical illness. And it’s real. You’re not just imagining things if you don’t feel well. Do you have these symptoms…
Coping With Grief in the Wintertime: Some Ways Harder, Some Ways Easier
Whichever way you look at it, grief is hard in ALL FOUR SEASONS. But, for sure, grief in the wintertime is challenging.
Young and Widowed. A Challenging Combination.
If you are a younger person who has lost a spouse or partner, the words “unfair” and “unexpected” are generally at the forefront of your mind when it comes to your grief.
Both are true; younger widows and widowers certainly face unique challenges….Read more.
When a Close Friend Dies
In life, we often fear the worst – the death of a parent, a sibling, a spouse or a child. We except that if such a death happens, it will be the most difficult, shattering time in our life. We tend to try not to imagine what it would be like for us when a close friend dies. It’s not an experience we can understand until it happens.
Avoid Major Decision-Making While Grieving—Why This is So Important
The phrase “don’t make any big decisions for the first year after a loved one dies” is not a myth. It’s a rule, for a reason. Here’s why…
It’s Summertime and the livin’s easy … Unless You’re Grieving a Loved One
Here we are in the midst of summertime. The days are long and from sunrise to sunset, there is an emphasis on enjoying the fun of the summer season, wearing a cheerful smile on your face. After all, it’s summertime and the livin’s easy,” as Ella Fitzgerald’s classic song goes.