Brenda Gibbs Brenda Gibbs

Fatherless Father's Day: Honouring and Remembering the Beloved Dads We've Lost

Father's Day is a bittersweet occasion for many individuals who have experienced the loss of their fathers. The absence of a father figure can be particularly challenging on this day, reminding us of the profound void left behind. However, amidst the sorrow, there are ways to commemorate our beloved dads, honouring their memory and finding solace in the cherished moments we shared. In this article, we will explore strategies for coping with Father's Day after the loss of a father, as well as ideas for honoring and remembering these extraordinary men.

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Traumatic Loss, Bereavement Brenda Gibbs Traumatic Loss, Bereavement Brenda Gibbs

What is the Difference Between Grief and Traumatic Grief?

Grief is a normal and natural response to loss, and it is something that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Traumatic grief, however, is a more intense form of grief that can be caused by a traumatic event or experience. While both forms of grief involve feelings of sadness, pain, anger, and anxiety, there are some key differences between them.

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Motherless Mothers Day

The Sunday before the designated Mother’s Day has now been deemed as Motherless Mothers Day. This day allows those to join together in their loss while honouring their absent mother. Mother’s Day is a special day for many, but for those who have lost their mothers, it can be a difficult reminder of the absence, especially for the first couple years. The following suggestions are possible ways to spend the day that continues and honours your maternal relationship.

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Self-Care Brenda Gibbs Self-Care Brenda Gibbs

Hope

Hope is an attitude, a mindset that allows a grounded and optimistic outlook, even in the most challenging circumstances. Thus it is within times of adversity when we learn how to hope, not in times of ease. It is within these challenges that we believe we have the power to change our lives. Our hope is not a fixed entity but has degrees and can be activated and cultivated.

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Bereavement Brenda Gibbs Bereavement Brenda Gibbs

Winter Blues

With the shorter days and colder winter months, many people experience what is often called the winter blues. It’s not uncommon to feel fatigue, sadness, difficulty concentrating, and a disruption in your sleep schedule during the winter season. Adding a dose of grief to the seasonal mix can increase the impulse to isolate, ignore self-care habits, can exacerbate feelings of depression.

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Holidays, Bereavement Brenda Gibbs Holidays, Bereavement Brenda Gibbs

Holiday Grief Creed

Grief in the holidays can be a heavy load at times. Grief seems magnified during this time of year. Conflicting emotions and desires can create real tension within: you want to be happy with your family and friends, yet the absence of your loved one is so painful at the same time.

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Bereavement Brenda Gibbs Bereavement Brenda Gibbs

7 Types of Grief

Did you know there are 7 types of grief? Isn't everybody’s grief the same? Yes, grief is all the deeply personal internal experience of your thoughts and feeling and this sounds straightforward. Yet, our grief and how we cope with the loss is greatly impacted by factors surrounding the loss.

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Self-Care Brenda Gibbs Self-Care Brenda Gibbs

Anxiety Grounding Techniques

Why does grief and anxiety go together? Since anxiety is a stress response and grief is certainly a stress, it makes sense that they can go together. Your loss may be recent or many years ago, but anxiety can become an expression of grief that you may not realize.

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Holidays Brenda Gibbs Holidays Brenda Gibbs

Tips for Navigating Grief During the Holidays

The holiday season can be especially challenging to those who are grieving because it is a season, not just a day, that is full of memories and traditions. Grief is hard work no matter the time of year. Tears will likely be a part of your season and may even take a sacred place at the holiday table. A helpful idea is to create your own holiday grief map. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

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Non-Death Grief Brenda Gibbs Non-Death Grief Brenda Gibbs

Losses without Death

The grief in these non-death losses are as valid as the grief caused by death. Get support and learn about grief in all its forms as a way to strengthen and provide additional support knowing that you are experiencing grief and that is okay. You too need to create your coping kit to first manage the stressful situation and then to eventually move from the old you to the new you.

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Self-Care Brenda Gibbs Self-Care Brenda Gibbs

Anniversary of Death Grief Response

You may begin to experience anniversary grief response as you approach the upcoming date. The following list may be some of the signs you are experiencing an anniversary grief response: increased feelings of sadness, loss, depression, loneliness, anxiety, fatigue, irritability or anger, as well as physical symptoms, such as sleeplessness, lack of an appetite, difficulty concentrating or an increase in distressing memories, among other things. But you have made it through a full year and if you allow it, hope for the future can be also felt. 

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