Acceptance might look like a feeling of lightness in the body, a sense of understanding and acceptance of the reality of what happened (even if it isn’t something you would have chosen to happen), feeling a connection to your person.

Depression might look like feeling heavy, unmotivated, uninterested in life, believing nothing else matters, believing life cannot go on, feeling unable to get out of bed, move, or do life

BARGAINING might look like pleading with self or others for things to be different than how they are, ruminating on “what ifs”, believing things “should” be different than how they are, making resolutions, a sense of “grasping” in the body.

Anger might look like having harsh or unrealistic expectations for self or others, lashing out at self or others, tension in the body, inability to relax the body, feeling like you might explode at any moment.

Denial can look like: feeling stuck, an inability to say what happened, pretending as if nothing happened, not changing anything in your life to accommodate the loss, refusing to talk about the person or what happened, physical feeling of being small or hidden.

Please know that the stages of grief are not linear, and are not exclusive.  By this I mean that you probably will experience each stage of grief, but you won’t experience them in order, you won’t experience them once, you will never “complete” them, and you will also experience a lot of other emotions. 

Know that it’s ok to dread upcoming days. And there is no right or wrong way to celebrate, or even acknowledge, significant dates. I have found that for many people I have worked with, the anticipation of the day is actually worse than the day itself, although for you that might be different. You are allowed to say no to anything that doesn’t feel right to you.

Not a lot of people know this (I even forget it myself), but in 2006 I had big goals of working in the fashion industry.  I had completed a program in Merchandise Marketing, I was working at a then-little-known company called Lululemon, and I saw myself working as a buyer for some oh-so-cool clothing company.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali define Yoga as “the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.” What if this isn’t just a definition, but an invitation to a revolution in the way we understand grief?

In the quest for peace amidst the chaos of grief, the concept of Santosha, or contentment, offers a gentle path forward. Santosha doesn't urge us to be complacent or to ignore our pain but invites us to find joy in the life we have now, even in its most imperfect and challenging moments.

Grief, while an intensely painful experience, can also be a profound catalyst for personal growth. This post explores how the deeply emotional journey of grieving the death of a loved one can reshape your understanding of life and inspire personal development.

The holiday season, often synonymous with joy and gathering, can become a landscape of emotional navigation when you're mourning the death of a loved one. The absence of familiar faces is felt more acutely against the backdrop of festive celebrations. This extensive guide is designed to help you manage grief during the holidays, offering strategies that honor both your emotions and the memory of your loved ones.

For those who find the holiday spirit overshadowed by sadness or loss, it's essential to recognize that your feelings are valid and that there's no "right" way to cope. Each person's grief journey is unique, and during the holidays, this journey can feel even more solitary and poignant.

Saucha is one of the Niyamas in yoga philosophy, which focuses on personal observances. It encourages us to maintain purity in our bodies, minds, and surroundings. In the context of grief, Saucha becomes particularly relevant. It's not just about a clean living space; it’s about creating a serene internal environment where healing can flourish.

Welcome to the less talked about side of grief, where the sadness is massive, but the anger? Oh, it’s monumental. If you've ever wanted to punch a pillow (or a wall—though we don't recommend it) while grieving, you're not alone, you're not overreacting, and there’s nothing wrong with you. This post is your unofficial permission slip to feel and express that anger without guilt.

Imagine it: Thanksgiving—supposedly a time for gratitude, pumpkin pie, and family reunions. But when you're grieving, it's more like a time for awkward silences, forced smiles, and dodging questions about how you're really feeling. Yes, spending Thanksgiving without your person is outright shitty.

Grieving the death of a partner is an immensely personal and profound journey, one that can feel even more burdensome as the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce. The shift into the darker months can often mirror the internal landscape of grief—where feelings of solitude and sadness can deepen with the encroaching shadows. However, within this darkness, there are glimmers of light and warmth to be found, ways to nurture your spirit, and methods to carry you gently through these longer nights.

Grieving the sudden death of a partner can leave you grappling with intense emotions and attachments, not only to the person you've lost but to the life and future you had envisioned together. During such tender times, the ancient yoga philosophy of Aparigraha—which translates to non-greed, non-possessiveness, or non-hoarding—offers a transformative perspective that can help ease the pain of death by teaching us to let go of excessive attachments and live in acceptance of what is.

The death of a partner is an unimaginably difficult experience, and the cold, shorter days can sometimes amplify feelings of loneliness and grief. As the chill sets in and you find yourself navigating this new reality, self-care becomes not just beneficial, but necessary. This comprehensive guide will explore practical, comforting ways to warm up both physically and emotionally during the chilly days, helping you nurture yourself through the toughest of times.