Resolutions and Restarts in 2018


When you find yourself losing motivation, first forgive yourself, then revisit your resolutions and give yourself a solid restart. Here’s how:

The Grim Reaper in the Room


Why don’t people talk about death? Why is open talk of death, or trying to support someone experiencing a significant loss feel so awkward?

Who Am I Without Them?


Instead of using SWOT for a project we’re applying it to your life after loss to get an idea of where you’re at, and if you’re up for it, where you want to go.

You’re Not “Going Crazy”


grief can definitely make you feel like you’re losing touch with the normal reality you knew, which can be incredibly disorienting.

I Just Want Some Sleep!


Fatigue and exhaustion are common physical side effects of grief, another common issue is difficulty sleeping. Here are a few natural ways to help get to sleep.

Surviving the “Firsts” After Loss


Their birthday, holidays, vacations, anniversaries, social gathering, all these events can be a challenge to face for the first time without the person with whom you usually shared them. Here are five simple tools that will help you prepare for some of your “firsts.”

Crying In the Produce Aisle: Dealing with Attacks of Grief


Though it’s completely natural and healthy to cry, often times it can be embarrassing and frustrating. So here’s a quick dip into a mindfulness practice to help you regain a little control in those moments when you feel you’ve completely lost it.

Probably Don’t Slap Your Boss: Safely Expressing Grief


No feeling is “wrong,” it just exists, it’s then up to you to decide what you’re going to do with it.

Bad Things Good People Say When Someone Dies


Distant friends, work colleagues, acquaintances, or other people trying to support you often don’t know where to begin so they fall back on these insensitive clichés.

The Red Tape of Dying


A list of administrative items that people commonly need to address in the wake of loss: property, personal items, life insurance, vehicles, and Social Security.

“What’s Wrong With Me?” The Physical Effects of Grief


We all expect our emotions to be a mess when someone we love dies. What we often don’t expect are these common physical symptoms.

6 Steps to Quieting Overwhelm After Loss


A simple plan where, in six steps, you can make life after loss just a little less overwhelming.

The Acute Loss Period


The 7 things that happen during the 10-14 days after the loss of a family member or friend are nearly universal and non-negotiable, they will happen whether you want them to or not.

7 Tips for Making 2017 Your Own


Despite what some people may tell you, happiness, healing, and hope are not just things that happen with time, it does take some resolve. Your life is made up of the small decisions you make every day. Where you go, what you say, how you react, who you choose to be around, and what information … Continue reading 7 Tips for Making 2017 Your Own

Understanding “The Language of Tears”


To close out our week looking at the wonder and mystery of crying, we want to leave you with the option of digging a little deeper into those tears. If you’re feeling ambitious you can commit to an in-depth textbook devoted to the subject. “Why Only Humans Weep,” written by Ad Vingerhoets, the professor at … Continue reading Understanding “The Language of Tears”

Are Tears a Cry for Help?


This week Grief Compass is looking at why we cry and today we’re focused on an article from Time Magazine which presents one of my favorite theories, that emotional (or psychic) tears have a different chemical structure than the basal tears that just keep your eyes moist and the reflex tears that are produced in response … Continue reading Are Tears a Cry for Help?

Why Does Grief Make Me Cry?


We all know the feeling when we’re just about to cry. Emotion rises. Your shoulders pull up tight. A thick lump forms at the back of your throat. Breath becomes unsteady. Your chin trembles. You sniff as your nose starts to run. You fight it, but liquid starts to collect on your lower eyelid, blurring … Continue reading Why Does Grief Make Me Cry?

6 Steps for Dealing with Fear After Belgium Attacks


The world is big and scary sometimes. Like today. If the events in Belgium overwhelm you with fear or despair, take a second to make the world small. Here’s how: 1) Turn off the newsfeed or tv. The news will not get better, so leaving the barrage of information and images for a few minutes … Continue reading 6 Steps for Dealing with Fear After Belgium Attacks