Widow's Walk

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

What the Most Common Advice About Grief Gets So Wrong

Sophia Dembling on February 24, 2023

People tend to be full of well-meaning advice for grievers. You don't have to listen to any of it.

People tend to be full of well-meaning advice for grievers. You don't have to listen to any of it.

Introversion

A Widowed Introvert and the Social/Solitude Balance

Sophia Dembling on February 10, 2023

An introvert might encounter challenges in balancing solitude and socializing in grief.

An introvert might encounter challenges in balancing solitude and socializing in grief.

Grief

"How Are You?" Don't Ask, but Definitely Ask

Sophia Dembling on January 11, 2023

Personal Perspective: "How are you doing?" is a question fraught with subtext for grievers.

Personal Perspective: "How are you doing?" is a question fraught with subtext for grievers.

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.

Friends

3 Things Widows Need

Sophia Dembling on November 18, 2022

Advice for supporting widows from the founder of the Modern Widows Club.

Advice for supporting widows from the founder of the Modern Widows Club.

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.

Grief

Suicide and a Mother's Grief

Sophia Dembling on October 6, 2022

Personal Perspective: A mother traces her journey through pain after the suicide of her son.

Personal Perspective: A mother traces her journey through pain after the suicide of her son.

Grief

Processing Grief When the Waves Hit

Sophia Dembling on September 20, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Between moments of peace come periods of painful processing, all moving us forward through grief and growth.

A Personal Perspective: Between moments of peace come periods of painful processing, all moving us forward through grief and growth.

Friends

How Do We Commemorate Significant Dates After a Loss?

Sophia Dembling on September 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Significant dates such as birthdays and anniversaries require attention and self-compassion when you're grieving.

A Personal Perspective: Significant dates such as birthdays and anniversaries require attention and self-compassion when you're grieving.

Grief

How Grief Changes the Brain

Sophia Dembling on August 18, 2022

The lessons are hard, but the class can't be avoided.

The lessons are hard, but the class can't be avoided.

Neuroscience

Is the Afterlife All in Our Heads?

Sophia Dembling on July 29, 2022

Do our deceased loved ones live on beyond the veil between two worlds? Or is that sensation generated by neural activity?

Do our deceased loved ones live on beyond the veil between two worlds? Or is that sensation generated by neural activity?

Cognition

The Endless Sorrow of Grieving a Spouse

Sophia Dembling on June 30, 2022

A Personal Perspective: The loss of a partner affects every aspect of life. Here's how one widow finds ways to adapt.

A Personal Perspective: The loss of a partner affects every aspect of life. Here's how one widow finds ways to adapt.

Grief

The Woulda, Coulda, Shouldas of Grief

Sophia Dembling on June 15, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Grief often comes with guilt, remorse, and regret, but these are just distractions from the pain.

A Personal Perspective: Grief often comes with guilt, remorse, and regret, but these are just distractions from the pain.

Grief

These Foolish Things Remind Us of Them

Sophia Dembling on June 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Clinging to the things loved ones leave behind is part of the journey; we let them go when the time feels right.

A Personal Perspective: Clinging to the things loved ones leave behind is part of the journey; we let them go when the time feels right.

Grief

Grief Is Physical, Too

Sophia Dembling on May 13, 2022

Holding grief in your body can make healing harder. Grief Yoga is one way to help feelings move through you.

Holding grief in your body can make healing harder. Grief Yoga is one way to help feelings move through you.

Grief

Making It Through Mother’s Day

Sophia Dembling on April 30, 2022

Is grief making Mother's Day seem scary? Make it easier on yourself by feeling what you feel and doing what nurtures you.

Is grief making Mother's Day seem scary? Make it easier on yourself by feeling what you feel and doing what nurtures you.

Grief

Riding the Grief Roller Coaster

Sophia Dembling on April 22, 2022

Not gonna lie: Even if you've been feeling pretty good, there might be a fresh bout of grief ahead. But this too shall pass.

Not gonna lie: Even if you've been feeling pretty good, there might be a fresh bout of grief ahead. But this too shall pass.