Journeyer, if your kids (or spouse!) are begging for a kitty for Christmas, here are a few reasons to make that happen! Animal lovers know how much love, peace, and calm a cuddly cat can bring, but not all of us know the many other benefits that come with adding a feline to the family. I’m honored to share this … Read More
Ask Annah: I’m Overwhelmed and Not Sure I Can Do “The Holidays.” What Can I Do?
Dearest Journeyer, The holidays and special events can be a difficult time–period–with additional demands on your time, energy, and focus. Add in grief and it’s no wonder you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. First, I’m sorry you’re struggling, yet I’m happy for your courage to find the resolution that works for you. Chances are, if you’re here, you want … Read More
Ask Annah: What Could I Have Done to Prevent or Change the Course of My Loss Event?
“What could I have done differently,” “What did I miss,” and “Where did I go wrong,” “Could I have prevented this from happening,” are common questions in loss. I asked each of the questions following my Gavin’s death, again after each of the two miscarriages, and yet again after I discovered my husband and my best friend having an affair. … Read More
Ask Annah: I’m Not the Same Since My Loss. How Do I Get Back to “The Old Me?”
Dearest Neighbor, “How do I get The Old Me back?” is a question I hear in many scenarios but most often when one of our fellow journeyers has faced a significant life loss. “My loss has changed me” and “I’ll never be the same again” are two common comments people make following a tragic or chaotic life event. What happens … Read More
Holiday Healing Tips: Trim Your Event List and Letting Go
Some of our most favorite holiday traditions include family, friend, community, and corporate gatherings and parties. Many of us derive great pleasure from holiday activities, but they do place additional demands on our time and energy. If you are dealing with conflict or grief following a life loss event, the additional holiday stress can make you feel downright overwhelmed and … Read More
Holiday Healing Tips: Family Gatherings & Being Flexible
Holidays are meant to be a time for remembering, reflecting, celebrating, giving thanks, and of coming together, Journeyer. Like many of you, I enjoy everything about hosting family and friends in my home. The smell of a meal wafting from the oven, the themed tableware, the drone of catching up chatter and the magic of laughter fill my home and … Read More
Holiday Healing Tips: The Decorations & Asking for Help
Some of our most favorite holiday pastimes include festive decorations and lights to adorn our homes and businesses. I typically spend a day with Christmas tunes streaming from the television as I carefully and joyously hang garland and strategically place NOEL blocks, Santa tapestries, themed bath linens, and other precious holiday pieces. Though I know a few people who only … Read More
Ask Annah: How Can I be Grateful in the Midst of So Much Pain?
Dearest Neighbor, November 1st always arrives with a flourish of “gratitude” memes and requests for you to participate in all sorts of activities and posts throughout the month. This daily practice can be downright grueling, disheartening, and un-empowering when you are in the doldrums or in a state of despair. I recall feeling inadequate during my grief periods following my … Read More
Ask Annah: What Can I Do With All This Survivor’s Guilt?
Dearest Neighbor, First, let me to tell you how sorry I am for your losses, for not only are you facing the death of someone you care about, you may also be experiencing other losses like the loss of emotional security, loss of dreams and hopes, and loss of companionship, to name a few. Survivor’s guilt stems from so many … Read More
Ask Annah: Why Do Friendships Change After a Significant Loss?
“Friendships are discovered rather than made.” ~ Harriett Beecher Stowe Dear Journeyer, “Why do friendships change after a significant loss?” is a question and conversation I hear regularly from people of all ages and across all loss forms. If you have discovered that your relationships with friends or family feel strange or estranged since a Significant Life Loss Event entered … Read More