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Widow's Walk

Life can change in an instant. What now?

Grief
When Loss Changes the Holidays

Sophia Dembling on November 29, 2023

A Personal Perspective: To survive the holidays, while grieving my spouse, I needed to invent traditions for myself.

A Personal Perspective: To survive the holidays, while grieving my spouse, I needed to invent traditions for myself.

What will the next chapter of life be about?
Grief
Questions That Arise as Grief Matures

Sophia Dembling on November 21, 2023

A Personal Perspective: As grief matures, the questions in widowhood grow more complex as we must (reluctantly) write the next chapter in our lives.

A Personal Perspective: As grief matures, the questions in widowhood grow more complex as we must (reluctantly) write the next chapter in our lives.

Grief
The Dual-Process Model of Grief

Sophia Dembling on October 23, 2023

A Personal Perspective: As we grieve, sometimes we look backward, sometimes forward. This is the dual-process model of grief, and it's both hopeful and stressful.

A Personal Perspective: As we grieve, sometimes we look backward, sometimes forward. This is the dual-process model of grief, and it's both hopeful and stressful.

Grief
Finding Hope in Grief

Sophia Dembling on August 30, 2023

What can we hope for as we grieve? At first, just withstanding the pain. Eventually we can start focusing on the future.

What can we hope for as we grieve? At first, just withstanding the pain. Eventually we can start focusing on the future.

Grief
The Long, Tedious Slog of Grief

Sophia Dembling on August 15, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Grief can hang on for a long time, wearing out its welcome. We have no choice but to slog along with it on our road to healing.

A Personal Perspective: Grief can hang on for a long time, wearing out its welcome. We have no choice but to slog along with it on our road to healing.

Relationships
How Widows Are at Risk for Love Bombing

Sophia Dembling on July 14, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Loneliness and skin hunger make widows especially vulnerable to love bombing; it's easy to ignore red flags in favor of relief from grieving.

A Personal Perspective: Loneliness and skin hunger make widows especially vulnerable to love bombing; it's easy to ignore red flags in favor of relief from grieving.

Grief
As Grief Changes, We Evolve With It

Sophia Dembling on June 23, 2023

A Personal Perspective: As grief evolves, we evolve with it, learning about ourselves as we understand what we have lost.

A Personal Perspective: As grief evolves, we evolve with it, learning about ourselves as we understand what we have lost.

Grief
People Don't Understand Your Grief

Sophia Dembling on May 19, 2023

Even when we're generally OK, grief can hit at any time. It's an invisible wound, which causes many people to have unrealistic expectations. We have the power to educate the world.

Even when we're generally OK, grief can hit at any time. It's an invisible wound, which causes many people to have unrealistic expectations. We have the power to educate the world.

Guilt
Learn to Let Go of Guilt in Grief

Sophia Dembling on May 4, 2023

A Personal Perspective: It's easy to find something to feel guilty about when we are grieving, but that just adds pain to pain. Learn to let it go.

A Personal Perspective: It's easy to find something to feel guilty about when we are grieving, but that just adds pain to pain. Learn to let it go.

Grief
An Important Reality for Navigating Grief

Sophia Dembling on April 17, 2023

The loss of a loved one is world-changing, and yet it doesn't change who we or the people around us are. Knowing this can help you navigate its choppy waters.

The loss of a loved one is world-changing, and yet it doesn't change who we or the people around us are. Knowing this can help you navigate its choppy waters.

Grief
How to Rediscover Purpose After the Loss of a Spouse

Sophia Dembling on March 20, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Among the losses that accompany the death of a spouse might be the loss of your sense of purpose. But maybe grieving itself is your purpose right now.

A Personal Perspective: Among the losses that accompany the death of a spouse might be the loss of your sense of purpose. But maybe grieving itself is your purpose right now.

Grief
Grief and the Passage of Time

Sophia Dembling on December 30, 2022

The passage of time can bring relief from the most searing stage of grief, but it can also bring sadness.

The passage of time can bring relief from the most searing stage of grief, but it can also bring sadness.

Grief
Getting Through the Holidays in Grief

Sophia Dembling on December 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Grievers may anticipate the holidays with dread. Getting through them requires self-awareness, mindfulness, and a plan.

A Personal Perspective: Grievers may anticipate the holidays with dread. Getting through them requires self-awareness, mindfulness, and a plan.

Trauma
Pushing Past Trauma

Sophia Dembling on October 25, 2022

If trauma is part of your grief, EMDR could help your brain process intrusive memories.

If trauma is part of your grief, EMDR could help your brain process intrusive memories.