Grief’s a funny thing. We don’t want to talk about it and yet, sometimes we do. There are times when we want to tell stories, remember the good times, the funny things, the things that touch our heart.
Sometimes we wan to tell the same story over and over because it’s comforting. Maybe we worry that no one wants to hear our repetitive stories. Maybe we think they’ve moved on. But we’re still in active mourning.
Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve
We quietly silently berate ourselves with would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, things we might (or might not) want to share with others.
Psychologists tell us that “stuffing” those feeling, tamping them down, covering them up isn’t good for us. Healing comes with expression. Mourning is necessary. Grief must be processed in a healthy way.
Processing grief is necessary
That’s why I wrote the beautiful workbook called A Guided Journal Through Grief. It’s a safe place to say all the hard things, the things we don’t want to share with anyone or the happy things we want to remember. Each page has a “prompt”–a question, an idea, an activity. You can respond to them by writing, drawing, painting or even making a little collage. There are ideas for rituals, meditations and other comforting things to do.
When you’re done, it can either become a beautiful memento of your loved one, maybe one you can share with a child when they grow up OR you can burn it in a ritual of your own.
Customers sometimes get several and work through them in memory of several loved ones. They’re that affordable.
If you’d like to learn more and also see a short video on how to use a guided journal (scroll down on the page for that) visit its page here on the site. You might also be interested in the companion deck of grief affirmations, found here. Or our beautiful, gentle condolence gifts.
I’ve sent your deck of grief affirmations to at least two people who have found them immensely comforting and, well, affirming. It can be so difficult to find the right words when someone is grieving; your gifts are such a thoughtful, long-lasting way to connect and support them.
I believe in talking.
And to help a person deal or to get the conversation started, these journals are beyond wonderful!
Yes, talking can be a comfort. Sometimes, though, you just can’t talk about it. I have been like that. Just. Could. Not.
Your grief journal is a wonderful gift to give to friends and family who are processing unbearable loss. I gave the journal and affirmation cards to a friend who lost her only child. She said she’d been thinking of journaling about everything she was going through and found it very helpful. She put the affirmation cards out on her mantel so that visitors could also use them.
Jen, i’m so glad to hear this. Thanks for sharing it.