Hey guys!

In this video, I get into how grief exists in all the changes we experience in life and that what you are feeling when things change is normal.

According to the Grief Recovery Institute, grief is the conflicting feelings that come at the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior. Therefore grief is in all changes that we experience as humans.

With the Coronavirus, the stay at home orders, and all the big changes that come with work, socializing, and life in general not to mention all of the grieving experiences that are related to traditional grieving experiences, just know that it's okay to grieve.

A few of the most important things that we have to remember in order to have compassion for ourselves during this challenging time is that:

1. It is ok to grieve (all losses not just death.)

2. Your feelings are legitimate, yours and yours alone. They are normal and they are natural.

3. Remember to acknowledge and validate yourself and others.

4. Whatever you're experiencing is ok!

5. You don't have to compare yourself to others. Comparing leads to isolation.

6. Try not to diminish other's feelings or experiences as well.

7. Relate kindly to yourself.

8. Know your audience and know who can support you!

To learn more, watch our brand new Masterclass: Compassionate Communication 101: 5 Shifts to Confidently Navigate Change and Challenge with Ease.

Good morning everyone!

This week I was a guest blogger on Career Charters and I had the pleasure to write a blog explaining why grieving a career change is not only normal, but OK, and how we can move forward in a healthy way.

Here's a sneak preview:

We often associate grief with a significant loss such as the death of a loved one, but grief can arise with any change we experience in our life. According to the Grief Recovery Institute, grief is “the conflicting feelings that come at the end of or change in a familiar pattern of behavior,” and it is also “the loss of hopes, dreams, or expectations.”

As we are confronted with the realities of coronavirus, these last few weeks have been full of lost hopes, dreams and expectations in the form of cancellations, closures, and tremendous change and uncertainty. This has resulted in a collective grieving experience throughout society. Our careers are one place where many people are feeling these intense changes, as much of our identity is often wrapped up in what we do for a living. Before I share examples of work-related grieving experiences and how to cope in a healthy way, I want you to know that it’s okay to grieve the loss and uncertainty you are experiencing, no matter how big or small.  

To read more, click here:

https://www.careercharters.com/blog/2020/4/4/grieving-a-career-change-and-how-to-move-forward

For more support, check out our Masterclass: Compassionate Communication 101: 5 Shifts to Confidently Navigate Change and Challenge with Ease. Register here.

Good morning!

I recently had the privilege to guest blog for Understanding Compassion explaining the four most common responses to grief and how to respond instead.

Here's a sneak preview:

Everyone experiences grief or loss at some point during life, and it’s helpful to know what to say and what not to say to a grieving loved one in order to be as supportive and compassionate as possible.

Opening up about our deepest and most vulnerable feelings can be very challenging, and that’s why it’s so important to use language which truly nurtures and cares for the feelings of another. Those experiencing grief often say, “No one feels like I feel,” or “If I tell people how I feel, they may think I’m crazy or may not want to be around me.” Even though we have all been through something; a crumbled relationship, losing someone dear, a move, a rejection, etc…. we often feel alone in our painful experiences.

Many of us haven’t been taught how to compassionately relate to the painful feelings of others, or even how to relate to our own. We aren’t given tools as a society to deal with the sad stuff. We are expected to feel good most or all of the time. 

To read more, click here:

https://understandingcompassion.com/articles/the-four-most-common-responses-to-grief-and-how-to-respond-with-compassion-instead/