09/03/2026
The thing we don't often talk about but we should. This is not a sad post, just a real one. This is not to make us sad or to spiral downwards in emotion or anything just a little acknowledgement that we are not broken we are just processing best we can. Nobody is perfect and that's ok.
I want to talk about Grief.
Grief is a journey, and taking care of yourself is so important! I am not talking about just loss of life it can be a simple as a change in career or friends, illness, loss of anything really even change in financial circumstances.
It doesn't hit everyone in the same way or even consistently. You can be swimming along in your emotions fine and then some thing little will bring forth so many emotions. It is ok to feel. To express. To let go of the heaviness it is NOT a sign of weakness. It is a process.
In our nursing training in 1988 we were told there are 5 stages of grief. At 18 I was like yes yes it must be true. I went through all of them when my dad died when I was bearly in my teenage years. Well I sure have learnt to rethink time and time again about that statement over the years.
There is not just 5 in my eyes. There could be 1 or 20 depends if you are able to process emotions or to work through our endless thoughts. They may not even be our own thoughts but a huge continuous flow of them passed down from many generations, helpful, or not so helpful, strangers, friends or family members about how you should feel.
I smile while I write this to you all and I write with love and compassion. I know some days are a little tricky but there is so much more to our lives than grief. It is a hard but small part of us, our lives. Don't sit with it too long if you can help it!
Nobody can really feel how you feel. It is ok, there are no rules, remember to be extra gentle with yourself during these tough times. These feelings don't define us. Small things, like a warm cup of tea/coffee or a quiet walk in nature, can make a difference. Don't be afraid to ask for support from your loved ones or even a professional. Healing takes time, so be patient and kind to yourself every step of the way.
Make plans, visit friends. If you don't have any, make some. Join a group. Take up a hobby. The good old Act Belong and Commit comes to mind.
Travel, learn something new.
Grasp life with both hands and go for broke. I have so many plans this year. Super exciting. Remember if you don't make a plan it won't happen!
Big loves everyone!
Oh and this portrait was done by a beautiful friend in an afternoon group session where we had to draw the person across the table without looking at the paper just looking at the person. You could use your other hand as a page marker only. It was so hard because we all want to be perfect but I thought she did an amazing job and I love it. X ❣️
D
