There Is No Timeline for Grief: Releasing the Pressure to “Move On”
Cami Thelander, Certified Grief Coach, Community Engagement Leader, Confident Grief Coach School One of the most common and unspoken pressures people experience after loss is the expectation to “move on.” It may not always be said directly, but it is often felt—in the quiet pauses when others stop asking how you’re doing, in the subtle […]
Grieving Without Heaven: When Loss Happens in a Secular World
As a certified Celebrant for funerals and celebrations of life, I am often asked to officiate a service because a family or their loved one was not affiliated with a formal religion or church. Most often, the family still holds some belief that they will see their loved one again—that there is a heaven where […]
Caregiver Grief, Invisible Loss and Why Self-Care Is Not Optional
Caregiving is one of the most common and least acknowledged roles in the United States today. More than 60 million Americans are currently providing unpaid care to a loved one who is aging, ill, disabled or living with cognitive or medical challenges. That’s nearly one in four adults. Yet despite how widespread caregiving is, many […]
The Medicine of a Grief Retreat: Sacred Space, Shared Humanity, and Healing in Community
There’s something powerful that happens when you step away from your everyday life and into a space that says, you don’t have to be okay here. Grief retreats aren’t about fixing anything. They’re about creating room… room to breathe, to soften and to let your guard down. They offer a pause from the world that […]
When the Holidays Feel Lonely: Understanding Isolation Through the Lens of Grief
For many, the holidays are painted as a season of togetherness — gatherings, traditions, shared meals, sparkling lights and cheerful music. But for anyone carrying grief, this time of year can feel like living behind a glass wall. Life keeps moving on the other side while you stand still, unsure how to re-enter a world […]
When Job Loss Becomes a Turning Point: Transforming Unemployment into Purpose and Healing
By Patricia Sheveland, PCC, Founder & Lead Faculty, The Confident Grief Coach School The Hidden Grief of Unemployment When we think of grief, we often think of death – the loss of a loved one, a family member, or a friend. Yet grief shows up in many forms, including the loss of identity, security, and […]
Finding Gratitude Amidst Grief: A Season for Healing Heart and Mind
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, we enter the holiday season which is often marked by gatherings, gratitude reminders and inner reflection. Yet for many, the holidays can amplify the ache of absence. A chair that sits empty at the table. A familiar laugh no longer echoing through the room. The […]
When Grief Lives in the Body: A Walk Through Pain, Hope and Healing
It was already hot the other morning as I walked along our quiet country road. The kind of heat that settles in early and dares you to move. Still, I found myself snapping photos of nature’s latest gifts — bursts of wild color showing up like unexpected joy. The days of the past week had […]
Welcome to Mourning Notes
“Don’t run away from grief, o’ soul. Look for the remedy inside the pain because the rose came from the thorn and the ruby came from a stone.” ~Rumi This blog is a place for those of you who are grieving a deep loss and for those of you who wish to support someone who […]