I Care More Carefully Now
The other day I caught myself starting to get annoyed about something, and halfway through being annoyed, I stopped and thought, "Why am I spending energy on this?"That's when it hit me that something has changed...
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The Best Relationships Aren’t Equal… They’re Complementary
Last week I was sitting at my laptop with headphones on, editing audio for an upcoming podcast episode. If you’ve ever edited audio, you already know it’s about as glamorous as filing receipts in your pajamas — but I genuinely enjoy it. Somewhere between...
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Note to Self: Don’t Live Inside Your Head
The other day I was folding my laundry, music playing in the background — just one of those quiet, ordinary moments where life is calm enough that your thoughts get a little space.Then a song came on. A song from a time that still feels warm when it first brushes past me — until the warmth reminds me those moments aren’t here anymore.For a second, it felt like I was back in it — that easy, familiar happiness.And then… that quiet catch in my chest.That reminder of what’s gone, and the way even the sweetest memories can carry an ache now...
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The Body Keeps Score: How Stress, Grief, and Everyday Habits Show Up in Our Health
We often think of our bodies as separate from our emotions—until they remind us they’re not. Whether it’s stress, grief, or years of go-go-go living, our bodies quietly keep track of everything we don’t deal with. This mind-body connection can show up in subtle but powerful ways. Here’s what I’ve been learning about that unspoken tally...
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Holding Two Truths at Once: Living with Grief, Growth, and Everyday Life After Loss
Some days, I can laugh at a meme, cry in the shower, check off a to-do list, and miss Eric so deeply it physically aches—all before noon. It’s kinda disorienting. But it’s also how I know I’m still here, still feeling.That’s the thing nobody really prepares you for: how often conflicting emotions show up holding hands. You can be grateful and overwhelmed. Hopeful and heartbroken. Healing and still hurting.That part—holding two truths at once—feels like a quiet superpower. One we’re not taught growing up, but end up learning when life hands us something heavy. It becomes a survival skill. A lifeline...
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10 Things I Thought Were Woo-Woo—Until They Actually Helped
I used to roll my eyes at a lot of things.Putting oils on your feet? Tapping your face to feel better? Standing barefoot in the yard to “absorb the Earth’s energy”? Yeah, okay. I was polite about it, but internally? I was side-eyeing hard.But somewhere between real-life stress, adulting, and trying to feel better without living at the doctor’s office, I got curious enough to try a few of those “woo-woo” wellness things. And to my surprise... a bunch of them actually helped. Like, really helped.So here’s my very honest list of wellness stuff I once thought was weird, but now I swear by. Maybe a few will click for you too...
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Still Growing, Still Grieving: Reflections at the Almost Six-Month Mark
Standing at my kitchen window, I noticed tiny buds forming on the apple trees. The grass is finally greening up, birds are making their way back from their winter homes, and the sun is shining again with that unmistakable promise of Spring.This is our favorite time of year.Was...
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You Don’t Just Lose Someone Once
Grief is not a singular event to be overcome, but a continuous process that reverberates through our daily lives. Each day brings new reminders and a fresh sense of loss as the realization that our loved ones are gone resurfaces repeatedly. This journey is a relentless cycle, where grief emerges unexpectedly, echoing with the memories and emotions tied to the ones we've lost.Navigating grief is about learning to live with these recurring waves rather than overcoming them. It highlights the importance of allowing ourselves to feel and accept this perpetual grief, acknowledging that there is no timeline or conclusion. The weight of loss may vary each day, but nurturing the capacity to stay afloat is a testament to both our resilience and the enduring impact of our memories and love.Embracing grief also means honoring the love and memories we continue to hold. Through each wave of sorrow, we find a reflection of the profound connections we have known, reinforcing that such bonds, although transformed by grief, remain steadfast. As we journey through this shared experience of loss, extending compassion to ourselves and others becomes crucial, offering a reminder that we are not alone on this path.
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Who Am I Without Us? Rediscovering Myself After Loss
The blog post reflects on the journey of rediscovering oneself after the passing of a life-long partner. After nearly 40 years of shared life experiences, the author finds herself grappling with her identity as she transitions from being part of an "us" to being just "me." The feelings of being left half of a whole resonate deeply, underscoring the challenges that come with redefining roles and navigating life independently.In this period of adjustment, the focus is on growth, acknowledging that life must continue moving forward despite the absence of a beloved partner. Embracing the values and lessons learned throughout their shared life, the author seeks to find a balance between holding onto cherished memories and making space for new growth. Essential to this process is maintaining her passion for natural wellness, which involves supporting healthy body systems and reducing toxin exposure—a philosophy reinforced by her shared journey with her partner.Ultimately, the blog emphasizes that this journey is not about reinventing oneself but rather about evolving. It highlights the importance of taking small, intentional steps into the unknown while carrying forward the love and legacy built together. Through this process of rediscovery, the author conveys hope and resilience, encouraging others facing similar transitions to embrace their journey, acknowledging it’s okay to take time and feel unsteady while moving forward one step at a time.
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The Duality of Grief: How Can I Feel Sad and Okay at the Same Time?
Grief is a complex and unpredictable journey, weaving together moments of sadness, joy, and confusion in unexpected ways. It's not the linear, unending sorrow that many anticipate; rather, it oscillates between deep ache and fleeting peace. This duality of emotions, feeling both sad and okay at times, is a testament to the human capacity to hold space for multiple feelings simultaneously.For those navigating the intricacies of grief, it can be unsettling to experience happiness or laughter amidst the sorrow, often leading to feelings of guilt. However, these moments of relief do not diminish the depth of one’s love or the significance of the loss. Instead, they coexist with grief, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to find light in the darkness.Embracing both sides of grief involves allowing emotions to flow freely, whether through crying or laughter, and understanding that each feeling has its place. Finding solace in writing, talking to others, and practicing self-kindness can offer comfort through the emotional rollercoaster. As the journey unfolds, these reflections and shared experiences reveal that navigating grief is not just about enduring sadness but also cherishing the joyful memories and moments of healing along the way.
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