In life, we are often taught to avoid pain at all costs. From a young age, we’re conditioned to believe that sadness, grief, and discomfort are emotions to be suppressed, brushed aside, or swiftly moved past. How many times as a child did you hear, “Don’t cry or I will give you something to cry about!” My parents are wonderful, but I was told that many times. This taught me that my emotions were not valid, this encouraged me to suppress my feelings and to not let them outwardly show. However,  in processing my own grief I have learned true healing begins when we stop resisting and start embracing our pain.

Three and a half years ago, my world was shaken to its core. In quick succession, our two oldest sons were involved in a serious accident, then we discovered our oldest son had a brain tumor, and quickly following that my husband was diagnosed with leukemia. The weight of these challenges was suffocating, and in my despair, I sought refuge in avoidance—undereating, immersing myself in work, mindlessly scrolling through my phone, and binge-watching TV shows. Little did I know, this was only perpetuating a toxic cycle of anxiety, depression, and profound suffering.

It wasn’t until I made the courageous decision to stop running from my emotions and allowed myself to fully experience them that I began to find genuine relief. I realized that by resisting grief, I was only prolonging my pain and denying myself the opportunity for healing. Instead of viewing grief as something to be conquered or overcome, I learned to see it as a natural part of the human experience—a journey to be embraced and honored.

Central to my healing journey was the recognition of the limiting beliefs and toxic thought patterns that were holding me back. I had to confront the stories and narratives imposed by society, as well as the deeply ingrained beliefs stemming from past traumas. Through introspection and self-reflection, I began to identify the thoughts that fueled my suffering—the belief that I wasn’t strong enough to handle my pain, the fear of facing my emotions head-on, and the notion that happiness was somehow incompatible with grief.

In challenging these limiting beliefs, I discovered a profound truth: my thoughts determined my feelings, which in turn shaped my experience of grief. By shifting my perspective and adopting a mindset of acceptance and self-compassion, I found liberation from the shackles of despair. I learned to embrace my grief as a companion on my journey, rather than a burden to be discarded.

As I embarked on this journey of self-discovery and healing, I realized that reclaiming my power meant learning to walk alongside my grief, rather than attempting to outrun it. It meant acknowledging the pain, the sadness, and the heartache, while also opening myself up to the possibility of joy, hope, and resilience. It meant honoring the memory of those I had lost, while also cherishing the precious moments of love and connection that remained.

Today, as a grief coach, I am passionate about empowering others to embark on their own journey of healing and self-discovery. I know firsthand the transformative power of embracing grief and dismantling the limiting beliefs that hold us back. Through compassionate guidance and personalized support, I help individuals navigate the complexities of grief, uncover their inner strength, and rediscover a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

If you’re feeling stuck in your grief, I invite you to take the first step towards healing. Together, we can embark on a journey of empowerment and transformation—a journey where grief becomes not a barrier, but a gateway to a life filled with authenticity, resilience, and profound joy.