Dynamic Journey, End of Life Practitioner

09/18/2025

Thank you Arleta for this ….
🙏🏻

Today was all about hope, full circle moments, and community care. Getting the chance to sit in a room with some of our local end of life doulas , talking about what really matters and witnessing the leadership and empowerment of in her highest expression is what makes my heart sing.

Im so proud of you Janet, to have been here, watching you work your butt off these last few years, the hard work, advocacy and everything in between (including in your own personal life) is rippling out and healing generations.

During our short but long relationship together, we met during a global lockdown (in person), your dad passed away, and I had a baby, yet we still continue to weave together and consider the long game of this work we are called to bring forward. We’ve looked grief/death in the face together and continue to rise despite it all.

I love you sista! This one is for you!

Today was all about hope, full circle moments, and community care. Getting the chance to sit in a room with some of our local end of life doulas , talking about what really matters and witnessing the leadership and empowerment of in her highest expression is what makes my heart sing.

Im so proud of you Janet, to have been here, watching you work your butt off these last few years, the hard work, advocacy and everything in between (including in your own personal life) is rippling out and healing generations.

During our short but long relationship together, we met during a global lockdown (in person), your dad passed away, and I had a baby, yet we still continue to weave together and consider the long game of this work we are called to bring forward. We’ve looked grief/death in the face together and continue to rise despite it all.

I love you sista! This one is for you!

09/17/2025

“Sitting bedside” can also mean being in the next room with my book, ready to assist if needed.

As an End of Life Practitioner, my goal is to profoundly support you and your loved one during their final days. I would choose to:

🤍 Provide you and your loved one the space to connect and share.

🤍 Remain nearby, in another room, so I can answer questions, offer support for difficult decisions, or brew a pot of coffee if you need it.

🤍 Ensure that both you and your loved one feel safe and secure during this time.

🤍 Explain the physical processes your loved one is experiencing and suggest ways to enhance their comfort.

🤍 Stay with your loved one while you take a moment for yourself, whether that’s stepping outside for fresh air or enjoying a calming cup of tea.

Through my role as an End of Life Practitioner, you will feel empowered, supported, and cared for by that quiet presence in a comfortable area of your home.

In Canada 🇨🇦, we learn about dying in real time, and I am honoured to accompany you on this journey.

09/16/2025

“Embracing the Journey: Compassion in End-of-Life Care” The profound role EOLD practitioners play in easing the transition for individuals and their families during one of life’s most delicate moments.

End of Life Care encapsulates the essence of providing support that goes beyond mere clinical care, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect. By recognizing each person’s unique story, end-of-life practitioners can create a nurturing environment where patients feel valued and their wishes honoured, fostering peace and dignity in their final days.

🤍 ~ Janet ~ Last Responder

❤️

09/15/2025

🌟 September is Su***de Awareness Month, a time to reflect, raise awareness, and foster open conversations about mental health. As a deathcare practitioner, I have not only witnessed the profound impact of loss through su***de, but have also been the last person someone reached out to before taking that irreversible step.
❣️These experiences weigh heavily on my heart, reminding me of the struggles many face in silence. It’s crucial to create a space where conversations about mental health are welcomed and stigma is dismantled.

So instead of just posting about it, I’ve recently completed a su***de prevention course for facilitators to deepen my understanding and broaden the resources available to those I support.

🧭 This personal journey is particularly meaningful to me, as I often wish I had more skills when my friends took their lives. As we navigate the complexities of mental health and end-of-life care, continuous learning is vital. This training empowers me to create safer spaces for open conversations and provide better support for those in need. I look forward to bringing this knowledge back to my practice and making a lasting impact!


***depreventionmonth

09/15/2025

🦁 Taking today back to the Lion King and Simba’s journey through grief.

Initial Shock: When Simba first learns of Mufasa’s death, he experiences disbelief and confusion. This reflects the initial reaction many people have when they lose a loved one.
💔
Guilt and Responsibility: Simba believes he is to blame for Mufasa’s death due to Scar’s manipulation. This showcases how guilt can complicate grief, making it essential for caregivers to address these feelings in patients and their families.
❤️‍🩹
Expressing Emotions: Simba’s journey illustrates the importance of allowing oneself to grieve openly. Encouraging patients to express their feelings can be therapeutic.
🫂
Supporting Others’ Grief: Caregivers should also recognize that family members may need support in their grief, just as Simba does when he returns to the Pride Lands and confronts the reality of his loss.
❤️‍🩹
Finding Strength in Loss: Journey to Acceptance: Following his grief, Simba learns to accept Mufasa’s death. This transition can be paralleled in end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of helping loved ones to find meaning and connection even after a loss.
🎥
Legacy and Memory: The realization that Mufasa’s spirit lives on in him serves as a reminder that loved ones can continue to influence and guide us.

🗣️Facilitating Conversations About Death: Encourage clients and families to talk openly about fears, memories, and emotional pain.

Promoting Grief Circles: Like Simba’s eventual reunion with friends and family, support networks can provide healing and shared understanding.

Encouraging Remembrance: Help families create methods to honour their loved ones, fostering a sense of connection and guidance.
🦁
Simba’s story poignantly captures the nuances of bereavement. By examining his experience, caregivers can better support individuals and families as they navigate their grief, helping them find strength and solace in the legacy of their loved ones.

❤️

09/15/2025

If you would like to listen to Rainn Wilson talking with Seth Meyers about becoming a Death Doula, fast forward to 10:00
✨

Rainn Wilson talks about when you know you've qualified as a New Yorker, not being able to use his celebrity status to get tickets to the US Open and loving ...

09/15/2025

It’s that time of year again! We are looking for volunteer moderators to help with online sessions at the 5th annual Lifting the Lid International Festival of Death and Dying, 14-16 November 2025.

Lifting The Lid is an annual, online festival that lifts the lid on everything death & dying, through conversations, interactive events, workshops, art and craft sessions, live music, poetry and performance from around the world.

Featuring an international line-up of end of life and palliative carers, funeral directors, grief supporters, artists, musicians, writers, doctors, filmmakers, pet bereavement counsellors, academics, change makers and everyone in between. Lifting The Lid is informative, creative, fun, joyful and life affirming, catering for people of all levels of interest.

If you are interested in volunteering a few hours of your time to facilitate for our presenters and audience from over 40 countries worldwide, please do drop us an email at liftingthelid2021@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

09/14/2025

🤳 The pervasive nature of social media has introduced children to a wide range of information, much of which can be distressing or traumatic. The experience of witnessing death, violence, or tragic events online can profoundly affect young minds, who often lack the emotional maturity to process such experiences fully.

Children are particularly vulnerable because they may not grasp the context of what they see. Exposure to graphic content can lead to heightened anxiety, fear, and a distorted perception of reality, and it may contribute to desensitization over time. As an end-of-life practitioner, I understand personally how challenging it is to walk alongside a teenager in these digital spaces and to witness the often profound effects they endure.

🤍 Foster Open Communication: Encourage ongoing discussions about their online experiences. Create an environment where children feel safe expressing their thoughts and emotions, validating their feelings about difficult content.

🤍 Establish Clear Boundaries: Set age-appropriate guidelines concerning social media usage, including time limits and the types of content that are considered acceptable.

🤍 Educate About Digital Literacy: Teach children how to critically assess online content, distinguish credible sources from unreliable ones, and recognize sensationalized or graphic material.

🤍💜🤍 Model Healthy Online Behavior: Be a positive role model by demonstrating thoughtful engagement with social media and discussing your own approaches to handling online interactions.

🤍 Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Provide children with tools to cope with distressing content, such as taking breaks from social media and engaging in offline activities that promote well-being.

09/08/2025

❤️‍🩹 Grieving can be an isolating experience, especially for those who are unable to attend gatherings or seek counseling due to physical or psychological limitations. For many, these gatherings serve as a vital space for sharing feelings, receiving support, and finding solace in the presence of others who understand their pain. However, when one is unable to participate, the grieving process can feel even more daunting.

In the absence of communal support, individuals may experience heightened feelings of loneliness and despair. The lack of shared mourning can create a sense that one’s grief is invalid or diminished. Physical limitations might prevent someone from attending in-person events, leading them to rely on digital communication or solitary reflection to process their feelings. Meanwhile, psychological barriers, such as anxiety or depression, can make it difficult to reach out for help or express emotions, compounding the sense of isolation.

Despite these challenges, there are ways to navigate grief.

📝 Journaling can be a powerful tool, allowing for the expression of emotions that may feel hard to verbalize.

🎶 Engaging in creative outlets, such as art or music, can also provide a therapeutic escape.

💻 Additionally, online support groups or forums can offer connection, allowing individuals to share their experiences and feel less alone.

🤔 You know, grief is a deeply personal journey. While physical and psychological limitations may alter the path, they do not negate the intensity of the emotions experienced.

❤️‍🩹 It’s essential to be gentle with oneself during this time, recognizing that grieving is a process that can take many forms, each valid in its own right.

Be Good to You 💜

09/02/2025

✨ Letting go of expectations during your grief journey is essential for healing. Society often imposes a set timeline or specific emotions that are deemed “normal” during mourning. However, grief is deeply personal and varies for everyone. Embracing the idea that there are no “should’s” can be liberating.

✨ Understanding that your feelings, whether they are sadness, anger, or confusion, are valid helps create a space for authentic healing. It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions, sometimes all in one day. Allow yourself to experience grief in your own way and at your own pace.

✨ Instead of adhering to a prescribed path, focus on honouring your feelings and finding comfort in what helps you, whether that’s talking to friends, journaling, or simply spending time in solitude. By releasing expectations, you empower yourself to navigate your grief journey more genuinely, finding strength in your unique experience.


👣