Being a caregiver is overwhelming and relentless. It’s mostly a thankless job with little or no time to give to yourself. There are primary and secondary losses to being a primary caregiver to the sick and aging.
When A Father Is Gone
I lost my biological father when I was just an infant. My mother remarried a wonderful man whom I’ve called “dad” since I was three. I don’t know any different, however I’ve always felt the void of not knowing someone who went missing before I could articulate my love for him. I believe it’s because of an instinctual bond we have for our fathers.
Grief and Your Gut
Anticipatory Grief~ Preparing to Say Goodbye
While most people associate grief with the aftermath of a loss, grief can also begin before the loss occurs-a phenomenon known as anticipatory grief. This kind of grief arises when individuals begin mourning in advance, often in response to a terminal diagnosis or a slow decline of someone they love. Unlike the grief we typically know, anticipatory grief encompasses a mix of hope, dread, and preparation, making it a uniquely layered experience.
When Grief Comes To Class
Every student deserves to feel accepted, understood, and supported after a loss. Grief can occur from any type of loss, change, or transition (not only death losses). For example: friendship changes, break ups, moving schools/states, natural disasters, man-made disasters, medical diagnoses, physical changes, financial changes, etc.
Why We Need Community After Loss
Calming Your Fears
Anxiety is one of the most commonly felt emotions after a loss, yet those experiencing anxiety often live those moments alone. Grief can make us feel as if we’ve lost our sense of safety and control. It’s natural and normal to feel anxious or worried about what might happen next or even to worry that we might lose someone else in the future.
7 Habits to Start After Loss
Experiencing loss—whether it’s the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life change—can feel overwhelming and disorienting. In the midst of grief, it’s easy to feel stuck, unsure of how to move forward.
Healing takes time. Grief cannot be fixed or hurried, but nourished and supported. Establishing small, intentional habits can help rebuild a sense of stability and hope after loss.
Together, we’ll explore seven simple but powerful habits to incorporate into your daily life after loss—practices that foster healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Finding the Right Words
What do you say to someone who has just had their life ripped apart by grief? Their life will never be the same, and for a long while they will sit with grief and there is nothing anyone can do to change that. Let’s face it. Grief is awkward. So how do we navigate supporting and caring for those who are grieving?
The Power of Connection Through Support Groups
Grief Gets Physical
When we go through something traumatic, our bodies react. It knows there is a system failure and goes into a “shock” which manifests in a myriad of physical and behavioral reactions. Grief is felt everywhere, but we are really only told how we will feel emotionally…sad. The truth is, our whole body is sad, but it shows us in many different ways.
Top 5 Reasons To Prioritize Yourself After Loss
Music For Mourning
Films That Navigate the Grief Experience
Movies centered on grief provide a unique and powerful way to explore the complex emotions of loss, healing, and resilience. By telling stories of characters navigating their own grief journeys, these types of films can offer comfort, validation, and insight to viewers who may be dealing with similar emotions.
A Formal Introduction: Hi, I'm Jill
I’m Jill, a professional griever. When I was 16 months old, my biological father left me and my 24-year-old mother for the day, took his small aircraft up over our family ranch, crashed and was killed. From that day on my life was forever altered. I spent my entire childhood and young adulthood grieving, healing, questioning, grieving, and healing some more.
