Even as a death doula, nothing prepared me for this.

This is what we call anticipatory grief—the emotional process of grieving someone before they die. It’s real. It’s valid. And it can feel just as heavy as the grief that comes after.

We’re going to cover three key areas in this blog that I also teach in my workshops relating to grief and support.

What most people don’t realize is that grief isn’t just emotional—it’s physical, mental, and even spiritual.

Trauma can be a catalyst for change, and in 2015, I experienced a loss that changed the entire trajectory of my life.

Let’s start here: guilt isn’t inherently bad. It’s actually a pretty normal human emotion.

Disenfranchised grief is when you feel sad about a loss that other people don’t seem to understand or accept.

Grief feels especially loud right now. It’s like the lights, the music, the constant cheer—it all shines a spotlight on what’s missing.

Grief doesn’t come with a rulebook, and it certainly doesn’t take time off for the holidays.

Grief isn’t just about losing someone; it’s about any kind of loss or change that impacts our lives.

Talking about death and dying is something that many people find uncomfortable, even though it's one of the most natural parts of life.

When it comes to end-of-life reflections, one common theme echoes through the stories of those I’ve sat with—"I wish I had said yes more."

Multiple losses happen when you experience several losses in a short time.

From my experience as a death doula, I’ve learned that embracing these small pockets of light is crucial to finding our way forward.

Anticipatory grief is like sitting in the waiting room of loss. You can see what’s coming, but you’re not quite there yet.

This blog post explores why a non-judgmental listening ear can be the most meaningful support for someone experiencing grief.