Soul At Heart End-of-Life Doula

05/05/2026

I've been thinking a lot about contentment lately. As I look back, I realize how wildly underrated contentment can be, and admittedly, I underestimated it too until I began to unwind in retirement and experience the state of un-busyness. I realize now that there were times of less-than-optimal decision-making when I felt compelled to pursue “more.”
I am now deeply aware of how living contentedly aligns with a philosophy of living more lightly on this earth. I am finding much peace these days in simplicity and in 'enough,' rather than constantly striving for more, bigger, better. This sense of 'enough' allows me to tread more gently, consume much less, repurpose in ways I had not thought of before, and truly appreciate the abundance already present.
In end-of-life work, there is often a natural and necessary stripping away of the nonessential, a heartfelt return to the basics, and what truly matters. Contentment often surfaces during these times, not as resignation, but as a deep knowing, acceptance with gratitude, and peace with life as it has been and is. It's a powerful reminder that living with contentment at our core isn't just about the end of life, but about living fully and being satisfied throughout the whole journey. I wish I had known this sooner. For more thoughts on this topic, visit: contentmentconversation.com

05/04/2026

Renewal as Refreshment – Legacy as Gift

The last few weeks have been a period of intentional quiet—a time to step back, "fill the cup," and simply be. It is amazing how a little space can transform the soul. I return to this space today not just with a rested body, but with a renewed spirit and a deepened energy for the work that lies ahead. In the stillness, my thoughts kept returning to the concept of…...

Explore the transformative power of legacy and purposeful living in this reflective piece about embracing intentionality and renewal.

04/27/2026

04/13/2026

When the Lens is Aimed at You: Practicing What I Preach

The email landed with a thud, not in my inbox, but somewhere deep in my gut. A critical diagnosis. My diagnosis. For years, I’ve sat with others as they navigate these waters, the End-of-Life Doula, the gatekeeper of sorts between the known and the unknown. Suddenly, the lens has turned around, and I’m staring at my own reflection, no longer the guide but the one embarking on the journey....

Join Carolynn as she embarks on a profound personal journey of self-reflection and legacy amidst a life-altering diagnosis. Discover what truly matters.

04/01/2026

Thinning the Bucket List: Finding Freedom in Letting Go

Hello out there, I am enjoying a gentle late-season snowfall, knowing that whatever amount accumulates will not last. I love spring. Suddenly, planning the garden can transition from the abstract in my mind to an active planning stage. I am also a sucker for the idea of spring cleaning, clearing the cobwebs, and swabbing the decks, which fits perfectly with my current legacy focus: What Matters Most....

Rediscover what truly matters by thinning your bucket list and embracing a simpler, curated life filled with meaningful experiences.

03/03/2026

Legacy: Celebrating and Commemorating a Life Well-Lived.

As I sit down to write my messages each week, with faithful Luna by my side, I often reflect on legacy—after all, I’m not getting any younger. I wonder how my children and those closest to me will truly remember me. I hope their memories will be rooted in essence, feeling, and understanding, rather than just a list of rote memories and events....

Reflect on your legacy and how to honor it while alive. Discover meaningful ways to create and share your unique life story.

02/26/2026

Honor Life: Craft Legacy

Everyone has one; some may seem more readily evident than others, but everyone has a legacy. The best news is that you can be intentional about legacy, who you are at your core, and what matters most in the end. Because bonus hours aren't guaranteed, investing in a legacy project now helps ensure peace of mind at end of life. There is a wonderful book that features creative legacy work by End-of-Life Doula Diane Button called…...

Explore the importance of legacy work and creative projects that preserve your essence for future generations. Ensure peace of mind today.

02/23/2026

Unity, Forgiveness, and Love in the Bonus Hours

From my own experience, what happens in the mid-space warrants further consideration. It is in the bonus hours that so much heart-work can happen if who we are, on both sides of the bedrail, can become open. Apologies, forgiveness, legacy, and peace of mind can play a "larger-than-life" role (quite literally) in death unburdened, as well as in lives lifted of regrets for those who stay behind....

Explore the transformative power of forgiveness and unity in the 'bonus hours' before death, fostering peace and emotional release.

02/19/2026

Transition and Transcendence: A Time for Peace and Unity

I think a lot about this work that we do as doulas and the sacredness of simply holding space and bearing witness and affirmation as another soul labors out of this life--their soul set free from earthly body. If we are very lucky and gifted with the grace of time between the terminal diagnosis and active dying of a loved one, we can celebrate the life lived and find peace of mind in those “bonus hours,” days, and weeks....

https://soulatheart.com/2026/02/19/transition-and-transcendence-a-time-for-peace-and-unity/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

02/13/2026

Shaping Legacy and Centering on Quality of Life

Hello friends, We have talked about the first 48 hours after a diagnosis and creating the sanctuary space, but what happens in the weeks or months that follow? This is the period where the medical and care-giving routines have been established, but the "active" dying stage has yet to begin. These are the bonus hours, days, and weeks. For some families this may be a time of uncertainty....

Hello friends, We have talked about the first 48 hours after a diagnosis and creating the sanctuary space, but what happens in the weeks or months that follow? This is the period where the medical …

02/08/2026

Beyond the Diagnosis: The First 48 Hours with a Death Doula

Hello everyone, It is gently snowing once again here in the northeast. No worries though, it is only enough to offer a sense of coziness, yet not enough to warrant logistial concerns. Luna is keeping me company, gently snoring and (seemingly) dreaming of lions. Thank you for joining me again in this space. My mission is to expand the understanding of where, when, and how the end-of-life doula-work fits in, in the end-of-life story....

Hello everyone, It is gently snowing once again here in the northeast. No worries though, it is only enough to offer a sense of coziness, yet not enough to warrant logistial concerns. Luna is keepi…