Archive for the ‘Needs of grievers’ Category
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019

The holidays are a crazy time of year, and the madness seems to start earlier as the years go by. We cannot even make it through Halloween these days before Christmas items start to appear widely in stores. I just want to scream, “Stop! It’s too soon!” And if you’re grieving a loss this holiday season, the days ahead probably seem even more stressful than usual. Keep reading to find some tips to simplify your plans – and help reduce holiday grief stress.
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Tags: coping with holiday grief, quiet and solitude, reduce holiday stress, simplify, surrender expectations
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Holidays, anniversaries, special occasions, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | Comments Off on Simplify – Tips to Help Grievers Reduce Holiday Stress
Tuesday, August 15th, 2017
Grief is messy and confusing. It’s all-consuming. And it’s unlike anything else you’ve been through. Here’s where the ‘U’ word comes in. When the ‘U’ word is missing grievers suffer, and their loved ones do, too. (more…)
Tags: help with grief, how to help grievers, misunderstandings about grief, understanding grief, what to expect, why understanding matters
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 2 Comments »
Monday, April 13th, 2015
By Judy Brizendine
I recently received a note from a reader asking me a question and suggesting a topic to write about. And then she went on to tell me her story. She has been facing a deep loss in her life over the past year or more. Silence from friends is painful. Being ignored (and considered invisible) is devastating. (more…)
Tags: being ignored is devastating, how to help a griever, importance of listening, insensitivity toward grievers, reaching out to a griever, silence from friends is painful
Posted in Coping with Grief, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 1 Comment »
Thursday, April 2nd, 2015
By Judy Brizendine
Are quiet and solitude friends or enemies during grief? Sometimes we don’t recognize the things that help versus those that hurt us. And at times, things that are the most natural (and seem best) work against our healing. As in most circumstances, too much of a good thing can be bad. (more…)
Tags: adjustments, experience your feelings, learn about grief, misunderstanding about grief, quiet and solitude during grief, take breaks from grief, you can't run and hide
Posted in Changes, Coping with Grief, Effects of Grief, Emotions, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 1 Comment »
Saturday, October 25th, 2014
By Judy Brizendine
Max and Molly were inseparable. They spent their entire lives together – until Molly became sick with an incurable form of cancer. Soon afterward we had to put her to sleep. Then Max was alone, without his sister, for the first time. And surprisingly, Max our cat taught me something about grief.
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Tags: coping with grief, effects of grief, grief and animals, how to help a griever
Posted in Animals, Coping with Grief, Effects of Grief, Emotions, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Response to tragedy, Stunned by Grief | 2 Comments »
Friday, August 15th, 2014
By Judy Brizendine
After reading and hearing countless comments about the death of Robin Williams, once again it’s clear that a great lack of understanding surrounds grief, loss, and related issues. Even though the intent of most people is to provide comfort and support, they can inadvertently say something that’s hurtful or damaging.
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Tags: grief is misunderstood, how to help grievers, senseless hurtful comments to grievers, suicide and mental illness, understanding grief, what not to say to grievers, what to say to grievers
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief, What to say to grievers | 4 Comments »
Saturday, May 31st, 2014
By Judy Brizendine
Someone shared her experience with me this week, and it broke my heart, shocked, and angered me all at the same time. This person ‘diligently searched’ (her words) for help with grief, and was turned away from grief-support groups by several organizations.
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Tags: criteria for grief groups, grief and loss, grief groups, grief support, help with grief, prevented from joining a group
Posted in Coping with Grief, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 4 Comments »
Friday, March 14th, 2014
I’m always watching for outstanding resources to recommend, and the article discussed in this post is filled with 115 helpful websites on grief and bereavement. I believe this list represents a collection of some of the very best online resources available for coping with grief and bereavement.
In this article on the MastersInCounseling.org website, you will find a wide range of resources directed toward grief brought about by a variety of life events, including but not limited to death. You’ll find information to help you understand, guidance to help you cope, and a supportive community so you know you are not alone.
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Tags: care providers, child loss sites, grief blogs, grief centers, grief resources, info about grief and bereavement, online grief resources, widow and widower sites
Posted in Attitude, Changes, Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Effects of Grief, Hope, Needs of grievers, New directions, Relationships, Response to tragedy, Stunned by Grief | Comments Off on Outstanding List of Online Resources for Coping with Grief
Friday, December 13th, 2013
Grief and the holidays are especially difficult — and there’s just no getting around it. Even when your loss was sometime ago, the holidays bring memories back to life. With time and healing, perhaps you can look back on those memories with smiles and gratitude rather than the crushing pain you felt earlier – yet emotions seem to be supercharged at this time of the year.
I read a beautiful article written by Katherine Ingram about her experience of grief and the holidays. The thoughts she shares are similar to my own. I could identify with her heartfelt (and wise) words, and I hope they will speak to you, too. I asked her permission to share the article – and she graciously agreed.
Hope you’ll click on the link to read Katherine’s article. I think you’ll be blessed if you do.
Here’s the link – Good Grief: The Holiday Edition
Photo courtesy of www.bing.com
Tags: choices, Christmas, getting on with things, grief and the holidays, grieving, healing, mourning
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Holidays, anniversaries, special occasions, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | Comments Off on Grief and the Holidays
Sunday, September 15th, 2013
At first glance, a number of characteristics could be used to describe the way ‘grief’ operates, and none of them produces an effect consistent with the words ‘refuge’ or ‘sanctuary.’ The very nature of this process that leads us toward healing when we choose to enter into it is the reason everybody needs a sanctuary during grief.
Grief crashes upon you like a wave. It bounces you around and twists you inside out. Grief sends your emotions into a tailspin, and up and down like a roller coaster, until you’re emotionally spent. Grief is unruly, messy, and disorderly. You’ll go forward and then backward. At times, you’ll question your sanity.
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Tags: effects of grief, expressing emotions, grief healing process, healing and restoration, healing journey, sanctuary during grief, stunned by grief
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Effects of Grief, Emotions, Needs of grievers, Sanctuary, Stunned by Grief | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
Is is possible to take a break from grief? Stick with me for a moment and let me explain. Please! I think it’s not only possible at times, but necessary, to take a break from grief.
I will say, without a doubt, that grief is one of the most difficult experiences any of us will face in life. The idea of taking a break from grief does not in any way minimize or make light of its intense pain, effects, or significance. I recognize the deep and complex impact of grief that follows loss. In fact, its fierce and powerful characteristics are exactly why we need to take a break from grief.
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Tags: coping with grief, finding balance during grief, grief journey, help with grief, needs of grievers, take a break from grief, taking a break
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Effects of Grief, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | 8 Comments »
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

You’re probably thinking, “I don’t even know what a ‘grief’ umbrella is”—and you’re asking me, “What color is your ‘grief’ umbrella?” Let’s work through this idea together …
Grief is a mystery and a shock when you first meet up with it. Nothing you’ve ever seen, read, or thought about grief prepares you for its reality. Just like death—when death steals someone you love away—a staggering realization hits your senses that your life has changed and it will never be the same again. That’s the way grief is, too. And when grief shows up, trust me, you’ll need ‘grief’ umbrellas.
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Tags: changes, coping with grief, effects of grief, encouragement, grief support, hope, needs of grievers
Posted in Changes, Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Effects of Grief, Emotions, Hope, Needs of grievers | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

Judy Brizendine was interviewed today by Anna Banks for a special show about dealing with grief during the holidays – on the program “Living Fully After 40™ Radio.
Anna also wrote an article for her Living Fully After 40™ Blog today (December 12) about Judy, her STUNNED by Grief books, and the challenges of grief and the holidays.
This time of year, which we normally greet with excitement and anticipation, is extremely difficult for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one or other types of deep losses. Instead of joy, someone who is grieving most likely is experiencing feelings of dread, anxiety, a lack of energy, loneliness, and an overall sense of being overwhelmed. However, there are things you can do to make your holiday season more manageable—and to carve out moments of joy in the midst of your grief. You’ll find suggestions to help you cope with grief during the holidays in Judy’s guest blog article, ‘5 Ideas to Ease Holiday Anxiety During Grief,’ written for the Journeys Through Grief Newsletter.
Check out Anna’s blog to read the article about Judy (as well as a host of other articles dealing with issues we all face) whether or not we are past the age of 40!
(Photo courtesy of office.microsoft.com)
Tags: coping with grief, emotions, grief and holidays, grief challenges, holidays
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, Emotions, Holidays, anniversaries, special occasions, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | Comments Off on Coping with Grief During the Holidays
Friday, November 30th, 2012

I’m very honored to be guest blogging today for the Journeys Through Grief Newsletter!
I hope you’ll check out the article and share it with your friends, family, and people you know.
People everywhere are experiencing all types of loss—and the holiday season is especially difficult for anyone who is grieving. This article provides some ideas you may not have considered to ease holiday anxiety during grief. Perhaps by sharing this resource, you’ll be offering help to someone who really needs it now.
We all need hope. And we all need help at certain times.
Just click on the link here to read: Journeys Through Grief Newsletter
(Photo courtesy of office.microsoft.com)
Tags: coping with grief, ease anxiety, grief and holidays, needs of grievers
Posted in Coping with Grief, Holidays, anniversaries, special occasions, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief | Comments Off on 5 Ideas to Ease Holiday Anxiety During Grief
Friday, February 10th, 2012
You know someone who is grieving, and you happen to see them. What do you say?
Fear about what to say to a griever is common. Most people are uncomfortable around someone who is grieving because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. Since they have no idea what to say, often they simply choose to avoid the griever.
The most important thing anyone can do is to let the person who is grieving know that you care. Give them a hug, show them your concern for what they’re going through, and tell them you want to help (and mean it)!
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Tags: fear, needs of grievers, wha, what to say to grievers, words and actions
Posted in Decisions and choices, Emotions, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief, What to say to grievers | 2 Comments »
Pause and Think Twice Before You Speak to Someone Who Is Grieving
Friday, August 15th, 2014After reading and hearing countless comments about the death of Robin Williams, once again it’s clear that a great lack of understanding surrounds grief, loss, and related issues. Even though the intent of most people is to provide comfort and support, they can inadvertently say something that’s hurtful or damaging.
(more…)
Tags: grief is misunderstood, how to help grievers, senseless hurtful comments to grievers, suicide and mental illness, understanding grief, what not to say to grievers, what to say to grievers
Posted in Coping with Grief, Decisions and choices, How to help grievers, Needs of grievers, Stunned by Grief, What to say to grievers | 4 Comments »