Did you see the BBC article about the language used to describe cancer? “Cancer clichés to avoid: I’m not brave” Words also matter when you’re grieving, and it can be a bit of a minefield for people around you. At my retreats, we often do an activity where people give examples of the unhelpful things…
Losing a loved one can be utterly life-shattering. Nothing seems the same anymore because most things are not the same. One of the changes that can hit really hard, particularly if you’re usually a person who is on top of things, is how your self-confidence can take a big tumble. It is as though the foundations…
A reflection for All Souls. It’s odd, isn’t it, how death can make the headlines and dominate the news, but days later, seems to be all but forgotten in the public consciousness. I was looking back at an article I wrote on this topic about 5 years ago. Around that time, a German plane had…
A post about giving yourself permission to enjoy life, even when you’re grieving. Take a deep breath, in through the nose, now blow out gently. Repeat for several moments. Concentrate on the rise and fall of your chest. Feel it lift, feel it fall. Keep breathing for a few more moments. Now breathe normally. Breathing…
Recently I’ve met a few people who are within the first year of their bereavement, which means the first anniversary of their loved one’s death is approaching. I write this post for them and any others who are facing the same. If you’re approaching the anniversary of your loved one’s death, particularly if it’s one…
This is the start of a new series of posts – recommended books for those who are grieving. Title: Michael Rosen’s Sad Book Who’s the book for? – Children age 4+ to adults What’s special about it? – It’s a picture book. There are few words and lots of pictures Why is it recommended? –…
If your mind is filled with sad or difficult thoughts, particularly related to your grief, this post is for you. For people who are grieving, the quiet hours of the night are often a struggle. Falling asleep might be hard; waking up in the early hours is not uncommon. Whether there is someone sleeping beside…
During this time of social distancing, many of us are delving deeper into the digital online world. There are multiple ways to interact online – Zoom meetings, WhatsApp chats, Facetime, and many more. It certainly can be comforting to be able to chat to friends or take part in choirs or book groups or any…
