Discover compassionate tips for coping with Mother’s Day grief when your mother is no longer with you, focusing on mindfulness, self-care, and creative expression to honor her memory and find solace. As Mother’s Day approaches, the absence of your mother may feel even more palpable – whether it has been days, months, or decades. It’s important
Mother’s Day might feel tender, heavy, or unexpectedly calm. However it finds you this year, know this: Your grief matters. Your bond still exists. And you get to shape how you carry your mother’s memory forward.Grieving on Mother’s Day can bring a unique kind of ache. For some, it’s the absence of a mother who
The first Mother’s Day without your mom is one of the most emotionally challenging days of the year. Whether the loss was sudden or followed a long illness, the absence can feel sharp, surreal, and hard to name.This holiday, so often wrapped in pastel flowers and picture-perfect cards, can bring a flood of memories—and a
Sometimes a thought shows up again and again—like a knot in the mind you can’t untangle. In the last post, we explored helpful vs. harmful grief-related thoughts. Today, we’ll put one of those into practice: gently shifting the way we hold a painful thought.This isn’t about finding silver linings or making yourself feel better than
In Grief Rumination Spiral: Helpful vs. Harmful Thoughts, we explored the kinds of thoughts that help grief move and the kinds that tend to keep us stuck. If you’ve begun to notice your own patterns, you’re already doing the most important part: bringing awareness to what’s happening inside you. Now let’s talk about what to do
In our first post, we explored The Grief Rumination Spiral—how looping thoughts can arise and why they’re so common in grief.Not All Thoughts Are Created EqualWhen you’re grieving, your mind is full—and sometimes loud. Some thoughts offer comfort, while others only seem to fuel the pain. But it can be hard to tell the difference,
When Grief Gets Stuck in a LoopHave you ever noticed your thoughts circling around the same painful place? You’re washing dishes or driving or trying to sleep, and suddenly—there it is again. The same “what if.” The same image. The same sentence you’ve already replayed a hundred times. Grief has a way of pulling us into
Frederick, MD — The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) has named Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT, as the recipient of the 2025 Clinical Practice Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to the field of thanatology through innovative, evidence-informed grief support. The award was presented at ADEC’s annual conference in Albuquerque, NM by colleague and former
In many bereavement organizations, support systems for professionals are an afterthought—if they exist at all. While strong boundaries help, the reality is that compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout can still take hold. It’s not a personal failing; it’s a natural response to deep, empathetic work. The real issue isn’t that it happens—it’s that so
Coping with the Winter Blues: Grief, Comfort, and Self-CareWinter can be a challenging season, especially when you’re grieving. The shorter days, colder temperatures, and tendency to stay indoors can intensify feelings of isolation and sadness. In this episode of the Moving Grief Podcast, Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki and I explore how winter affects grief and offer practical
Play video on YouTube or Stream Below. Click the three dots to the left to download. Grief doesn’t mean saying goodbye to love—it means finding new ways to keep it alive. This guided visualization helps you step into your heart space, where your connection remains unbroken. It’s a way to honor your love, feel their
Grief is heavy, unpredictable, and deeply personal. It can feel overwhelming, making even simple self-care routines seem impossible. But what if grief support didn’t have to feel like work? What if small, meaningful rituals and even moments of laughter could help you navigate the tough days?In this episode of the Moving Grief Podcast, Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki
Grief can feel like an endless storm—waves of sadness, longing, and even numbness pulling us in different directions. During these moments, tending to our emotional and physical needs becomes vital, but self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all. By recognizing our unique personality needs—the core motivators that drive how we feel connected and fulfilled—we can create self-care practices that
Valentine’s Day is often portrayed as a greeting card holiday, with commercials about chocolate, happy couples, and candlelit dinners. For those who are grieving, however, this national holiday can feel like a tsunami of grief rather than a celebration of love. Whether you’ve lost a romantic partner, beloved family member, or dear friend, the feelings
