Welcome to Grief Haven, the podcast where healing begins and understanding deepens. Hosted by Julie Derks, this heartfelt and empathetic series provides a safe haven for anyone navigating the intricate landscape of grief. In this raw and authentic space, Julie fearlessly delves into all the dimensions of grief, offering solace, wisdom, and support to those who feel lost or alone on their healing journey. With each episode, she passionately explores the many aspects of grief, leaving no stone unturned, and no emotion unaddressed.
Anger...it was one of my top emotions that I felt intensely and for a long time, but it's one of those emotions we feel we shouldn't experience with grief. Anger is very common amongst many grievers and there are so many reasons to feel anger following the death of a loved one. In life, we often get angry when we can't control what is happening to us or we don't like the outcome of something. Death is one of those things we have absolutely no control over. Julie shares her own journey with anger and dives into the importance of finding the hidden emotions underneath your anger and how to express your anger in a healthy way. We don't always realize how much anger we are holding onto, take a listen and see what resonates with you on your grief journey. Follow Julie on IG or connect with Julie through email
Losing someone you love changes you forever. It instantly changes how you look at life and learning who you are now and all the lessons that go along with grief had a life long effect on you. It feels like for the worst in the beginning when you're navigating unknown waters. Julie dives into her journey with dealing with all the changes that she's faced along her grief journey and how she's been able to look at it from a new perspective. Follow Julie on IG
A question we all ourselves in grief....will I ever be ok again? It doesn't feel like you will when you're sliding into that deep dark hole of grief. Everything is so raw, painful and overwhelming. It just doesn't seem possible. Join Julie on today's episode as she shares why it's so hard to feel ok again and some simple tools she used to start allowing herself to feel ok again. You can follow Julie on IG or any questions or feedback can be sent to julie@inspirationalhealing.ca
What does coming to acceptance really mean in grief? On today's episode, Julie talks about how the blocks she built up around acceptance kept her stuck in her healing. Through her personal experience of navigating the aftermath of her husband's passing, Julie sheds light on the transformative power of acceptance and the significant role it played in her healing process. Stay tuned as she shares the profound insights and revelations that guided her towards embracing acceptance amidst the profound loss she endured. Send your questions to julie@inspirationalhealing.ca Follow Julie on IG
We all experience emotions. They are a huge part of our lives and we spend a lot of time thinking about them and reacting to them. In grief, they tend to consume us like a tidal wave and your left with feeling your drowning especially if you have never been taught how to deal with these intense hard emotions. I was one of those people who only knew how to run away from their emotions and find coping mechanisms that were only quick temporary fixes. In this episode I share some simple tips that will help you shift your mindset about your emotions and create a healthier relationship with them. You can follow me on Instagram
In this episode of Grief Haven, Julie delves into the complex ripple effect of secondary losses that often follow the initial loss of a loved one. They are often overlooked but add multiple layers to your grief journey. Drawing from her personal experience as a widow, Julie compassionately explores the multitude of secondary losses that can manifest gradually and unexpectedly. Through heartfelt sharing and understanding, she sheds light on the challenges that accompany these secondary losses and offers valuable tips on navigating through this difficult journey. By acknowledging the existence of these secondary losses and sharing practical advice, Julie aims to provide solace and support to those traversing similar paths in their grief. I appreciate your support and please share any episode to help spread these important grief topics to the world. Follow Julie on Instagram
The concept of the five stages of grief, popularized by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, has been widely accepted as the standard model for understanding the grieving process. However, in today's episode of Grief Haven, Julie challenges the idea that everyone experiences grief neatly in these five stages. While the stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance can provide a framework for understanding a range of emotions, Julie emphasizes that grief is a uniquely personal journey. Individuals may experience stages in different orders, revisit certain stages, or bypass them altogether. By delving into the complexities of grief, Julie sheds light on the misleading nature of the five stages and encourages a more nuanced understanding of the grieving process. Follow Julie on Instagram
In today's powerful episode of Grief Haven, we delve into the universal experience of grief triggers. These triggers can be anything that holds significance to our lost loved ones, catching us off guard and intensifying our pain. Julie compassionately explores the overwhelming nature of grief triggers, especially during the initial stages of loss, where it seems that everything around us serves as a reminder. With empathy and understanding, she shares practical strategies to cope with these triggers and normalize our reactions. By addressing the complexities of grief triggers, Julie guides us towards navigating our grief journey with a sense of understanding and validation, alleviating the isolation often felt in the midst of deep loss. Join us today as we embrace the healing power of acknowledging and managing grief triggers on Grief Haven. If you know someone who could benefit from this episode, please share to me get the message out there so that together we can those going through the challenging time of a loss. You can follow me on IG here
We don't always get a say in the cards we are dealt in life, especially when a loved one dies. So after a death, we often feel like we have no more control over our emotions or life. But in this episode I want to talk about the choices you can still make for yourself. Implementing small positive choices for myself were pivotal in my healing journey and still continue to be. Choosing to heal isn't the easy choice. Choosing to sit and feel your emotions isn't an easy choice. But it's one I decided to make to not only honour my late husband Jason, but to also become the best version of myself. You have the power within you to make hard choices that will improve your life for the better, even after the death of a loved one. My hope is this episode gives you the inspiration to do just one thing that will fill your mind, body, or soul. Click here to find Julie on Instagram
In today's episode, Julie sits down with Carla Mitchell from Puddle Jumper Publishing, an author and illustrator of a collection of bereavement stories for children, death doula and social worker. As the conversation unfolds, Carla generously shares her wealth of knowledge and profound wisdom on children coping with loss. We explore the importance of open communication, validating emotions, and providing a safe space for children to express their grief. Carla's insights are invaluable, shedding light on practical techniques and resources that can aid parents and caregivers in supporting children through their journey of healing. Listen for a deeper understanding of how to help children navigate their grief. You can find Carla's book series here!
In this episode, Julie dives into the deeply emotional experience of grief during the Christmas holidays. She explores how the holiday season can magnify the intensity of mourning and how it may feel even more challenging to navigate this time of year. Drawing from personal experiences and empathetic insights, Julie offers guidance on how to address grief during the festive season. Focusing on the power of creating new traditions, she provides practical suggestions on how to honor loved ones no longer physically present. You can follow Julie on Instagram
Join Julie as she sits down with Chelsea who shares her transformative journey as she navigates the depths of grief after losing her husband. In this episode there is invaluable insights, experiences, and profound wisdom gathered from their individual grief journeys. Through heartfelt conversations, Julie and Chelsea offer solace, compassion, and hope to anyone grappling with loss. From the initial shock of losing a loved one to the messy process of healing, they discuss the raw emotions, coping strategies, and unexpected moments of grace that emerge from grief. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and encouraged as you listen to "Wisdom Beyond Loss." Julie and Chelsea's wisdom, compassion, and resilience will shed new light on the possibilities for growth, transformation, and finding joy despite the profound sadness of losing a loved one. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let their heartfelt conversations guide you on your own journey towards healing, hope, and ultimately, a life well-lived beyond loss. You can connect with Julie through Facebook or Instagram You can connect with Chelsea you through her Facebook to find out about any upcoming workshops she will be offering on the Spiral.
Condolences, they can leave you feeling speechless and unsure of how to provide comfort & support to someone who has lost a loved one. In this episode, Julie offers valuable insights to help navigate through the uncomfortableness of not knowing what to say. Reflecting on her own personal journey and experiences, Julie shares strategies to avoid inadvertently causing more pain and highlights better ways to show support. Julie also dives into why as a society we are so uncomfortable with death and grief and challenges you to look within to discover how you can be a more empathetic and supportive person to someone grieving.
In this episode, Julie shares her experience navigating her boy's grief. Navigating the unpredictable terrain of children's grief can present a multitude of challenges. These young hearts are often ill-equipped to understand the complexities of death and the flood of emotions it brings. As caregivers, it is crucial to approach their grief with patience, sensitivity, and age-appropriate communication. Honesty is essential, framing death in a gentle yet truthful manner, ensuring that they comprehend the finality of the loss. Providing a safe space for expression is key, acknowledging and validating their feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, and fear. Maintaining consistency, routine, and establishing coping mechanisms can provide stability during the tumultuous ups and downs of their grief journey. By offering a compassionate and understanding presence, we can help children navigate their sorrow and foster resilience amidst the waves of loss.
In this episode, Julie dives into her own experience and challenges with death dates. Death dates are a unique and profound challenge that we all face. They carry an undeniable weight, reminding us of the finite nature of our existence. They evoke a myriad of emotions, from sorrow and grief to contemplation and reflection. The difficulty of death dates lies not only in the pain and loss they bring to our lives, but also in the reminders they offer of missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams. They serve as a stark reminder to cherish every moment and to make the most of our time on Earth. It is through the difficult dance with death dates that we are reminded to live fully and wholeheartedly, seizing each day as a gift and leaving a lasting legacy for those who come after us.
In this episode, discover how your emotions can be so entangled within each other. Gain a deeper understanding of the rollercoaster of emotions that weave their way through the fabric of your life during times of loss and transition and help to understand how to untangle them and understand what they are trying to tell you about your grief. If you like this episode... Make sure to share it with someone that needs to hear it and help us get the message out there so that together we can make grief a little less lonely for people. You can also follow me social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliederks_griefcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069944235592 TikTok: @inspirationalhealing
In this episode, I talk about how there in no guidebook to help us on our journey, as grief does not have a blueprint; everyone grieves differently. Recognizing these raw and real truths about grief will help you navigate your grief journey and break down your own blocks you may be placing on your own grief.
In this episode, I open up about my personal journey through grief after losing my husband, Jason. With raw vulnerability, I recount the early days of incomprehensible pain, when every step seemed insurmountable and hope appeared out of reach. Through intimate conversations, I reflect upon the early days and how the stigma that society holds on grief, impacted me. Follow me on IG here @juliederks_griefcoach https://www.instagram.com/juliederks_griefcoach/