My Journey
I never knew grief had such a firm grip on who I was until later in life. Grief entered my life in the form of childhood trauma, and in my adult life it came in the form of infertility, my mom’s cancer diagnosis, a marital separation, and then the loss of my mom. I learned about cumulative grief, how much the body holds on to trauma, and how regulating our nervous system is critical to survival.
With a background in nonprofit management, I am currently completing an internship as my final year of a master’s program in mental health counseling. My career focus is helping others process grief and loss, and finding ways to grieve while also living. Additionally, I am a certified grief educator through David Kessler.
I’d be remiss to not introduce you to the reason I am ME, and the reason I care about you, your grief, and generally helping humanity grieve openly and well.
Meet Kathie. My Why.
Kathie was my Momma. She was a nurse, an artist, very independent, stubborn (it’s genetic), beautiful inside and out, and she taught me to fight like hell for your life and your family.
When I say she is my WHY – I mean it.
I learned more from her—and about who she was—during her cancer journey than any time in my life.
Her courage and gentle presence are the reasons I am even upright after losing her, and the reason I will spend my life coaching and counseling others in grief.
I love you, Mom.
Today f%!$ing sucks, but we will get through it together.
A Glitter-Free Guide to Grief
Grief looks different for everyone, but the core of grief is the same: It’s a total shitstorm of emotions that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and lost. If you are hurting and believe toxic positivity—aka glitter—has no place in grief, this journal is for you.
Offering over eighty unique prompts and accompanying questions you can use in any order and as often as you like, this journal will help you confront the messy reality of all types of loss and face the difficult emotions that accompany it.
While it’s okay to grieve out loud and acknowledge our pain, sometimes we just aren’t ready to share with others. Writing is cathartic and safe because it allows us to slowly eliminate parts of grief while processing the raw, devastating reality of it all.