We All Need Grief Skills
Vol. 1
Hello, and welcome to my inaugural newsletter.
My goal is to send out a monthly letter to help increase fluency and comfort around the topic of grief. Grieving can be difficult and often lonely. It begs for assurance and support. By overcoming our own discomfort with conversations around death and loss, we open the doorway for those who are struggling, who may feel embarrassed that their grief is taking so long, worried about burdening others, stuck, overwhelmed and disconnected. We give permission to air out what is present but unspoken.
Each month I will focus on one theme, such as:
what to expect - the natural symptoms of grief
what you can do - tools for processing
tools for self-care
practical tips for the dealing with the everyday details around death
tips on writing sympathy cards and eulogies
ways to honor your loved one
the many faces of grief
reflections on grief related articles and books
exciting new research based on brain imaging
poignant stories that witness struggle, offer inspiration, and hope
More information is available on my recently published blog posts at shaileenbackman.com
Where to Start
Prioritize Self-Care
Grief is hard on the body! The first year often becomes a matter of survival. Know that grief is a stagnant energy and needs movement and expression; needs an escort out of the body. Grief needs an airing out or it can charge a physical price. Many of us are afraid of opening to the sadness and sorrow, for fear it will overtake us. It can be a powerful and shapeshifting emotion, but can be navigated with curiosity and with learning about the natural and the variable course; with learning how to identify our needs.
While self-care may seem like common sense, we need gentle reminders. Click on the link below for suggestions on creating your own Self-Care Plan. It can help you identify areas to strengthen. Start small. Choose an area and try to bring one new practice into your daily life. When you have mastered it add another.