Grief, the Nervous System and Why Small Daily Practices Matter
Grief is not just emotional. It lives in the nervous system. After a deep loss, many people notice they can’t focus, have lost motivation, and sleep patterns are erratic (either too much or too little). Often times we hear that they hardly recognize themselves anymore. People may view their grief responses as a weakness – […]
New Year, New Grief
In my grief group this month, one member shared that she is feeling some anxiety as she thinks about the new year approaching, because 2025 was the last year she got to spend with her partner. She expressed that she feels like she’s leaving them behind, knowing they will not be here as she steps […]
Honoring Our Loved Ones During the Holidays: Remembering and Reconnecting
By Pat Sheveland, Founder & Lead Faculty, The Confident Grief Coach School The holidays have a way of stirring up emotions that may have been quietly residing in the deepest recesses of our hearts. The bright lights, the familiar songs and the rituals we’ve carried for years can feel like a soft, warm blanket one […]
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 […]
Holding Space for the Smallest Grievers: Honoring Children’s Grief Awareness Month
Cami Thelander, Certified Grief Coach, Community Engagement Leader, Confident Grief Coach School November is more than just the turn of the calendar. It’s National Children’s Grief Awareness Month — a time to pause, listen, and lean in to the truth that children do grieve, and that their grief deserves our attention, compassion, and care. My […]
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 […]
October: A Month dedicated to Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness
As a grief coach, I have had the honor of walking beside mothers and fathers whose worlds were forever changed by the loss of their child. I have witnessed their courage, their despair, their longing and their resilience. And as the daughter of parents who experienced the death of their infant child, it is deeply […]
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 […]