No one wants to talk about this - we are in collective grief that needs acknowledgement.

No one wants to talk about this right now. There is massive amount of GRIEF going on collectively and individually. Don’t close your email, stay with me here…

In the US, half of us are deeply grieving the impact of the election. Many organizations are laying people off or changing strategies causing job loss. Communities have ongoing tragedies that impact masses of people. Personally, many people are losing loved ones (did you know the winter holiday months?have a HUGE spike?in?deaths?)

It is all heavy stuff.

We want to ignore it, focus on the positive, and hope it goes away quick.?But grief?does not just go away, it’s a?difficult?but natural human process that we must learn to navigate for our well-being personally, and in our workplaces and communities.

The best way to deal with grief is the?OPPOSITE of ignoring it. Did you know the #1 thing people grieving say they want most is?

Their loss and pain to be WITNESSED.

That's it. A simple witness of holding space with an open caring heart.?

When grief is ignored, suppressed, judged, dismissed, OR met with?nice?positive platitudes or advice, people do?NOT?feel seen or supported.

If you are in the throes of grief, first off, let me say I am sorry. Grief is HARD?and incredibly overwhelming?(and that is a total understatement).?

I want to offer?4?things that have served me, my clients and?community in strategies to work through grief…

1. My 5 principles for grief navigation that I developed after?living through devastating?grief of?my parents who passed away?in a short period of time and getting certified as?a?Grief Educator and Coach. These apply for personal and professional grief. The name of the game is RADICAL CARE SELF and having practices to support yourself and others when grief takes over.

2. Come to a Grief Education Workshop to learn about the grief process, these 5 principles above and practical ways?to support yourself.?Understanding the complexities of grieving, normalizing the experience and having tools for support are KEY elements to having well being and recovering from loss. If you are in Michigan, join me on 12/8 in person and sign up with the QR code below.?If you are not local or want a private virtual session for a work team, group or individually, DM me for options.

3. My blog on Gratitude and Grief from last year at this time, hear about:

- Dos and Don’ts of grief navigation (self and supporting others)

- How to embrace?the paradox of gratitude/grief in the holiday season

4. Inspirational short daily readings - grab?my book?“Daily Nuggets of Truth: Wisdom for Centering Your Soul in Unsettling Times.” I wrote this when I was grieving myself and in the chaos of COVID, this is 2-3 minutes a day of wisdom and affirmations. Get a copy at www.dailynuggetsoftruth.com.

Please share this with anyone you know who may need this right now, and if you found these resources helpful, send me a note! I’d love to know what’s most helpful AND to witness and support you.?

Sending love to you and everyone grieving right now, take good care of yourself this season…

Jen?Todd

Leadership & Transformation Coach

CEO,?Breakthrough?Partners?Inc.

312-543-2595?

[email protected]

www.breakthroughpartner.com LinkedIn Profile

Leadership. Purpose. Well-being.