"The hardest part about grief is adapting to your new reality, and adapting to your life without that person in it." - Lauren

Four months after losing her husband, Porter, therapist and grief educator Lauren joins us on Widow180 to talk about widowhood as it's happening. After a sudden medical emergency on their anniversary trip, Lauren had to make the hardest decision of her life. She shares what it's like to be a grief professional living through grief herself, and how she's rebuilding her home, her routines, and her identity.

Timestamps

• 0:46 - Lauren's story: Memorial Day weekend and losing Porter
• 5:14 - When the grief expert becomes the griever
• 7:29 - The tiny reminders no one prepares you for
• 11:57 - Helping her 10-year-old son through grief
• 14:50 - What's helping: restorative yoga, journaling, breath work, and re-nesting the home
• 19:20 - Loneliness, and the highs and lows after a good day out
• 23:34 - Holding on to his phone and talking to him in voice recordings
• 25:40 - How to support someone months into grief
• 30:06 - Working as a "wounded healer" one week after the loss
• 35:18 - Rebuilding identity as "widow Lauren"
• 38:53 - Losing your "history keeper"
• 41:40 - What Lauren would tell someone newly widowed
• 44:00 - Where to find Lauren

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why saying "he's in a better place" or looking for meaning can hurt more than help
• Why you should show up and do the dishes instead of asking "what can I do?"
• How to set firmer boundaries when everyone has an opinion about your grief

Connect with Lauren

• Website: www.healingjourney.us
• Email: thehealingjourney@laurenwhitemay.com
• Facebook: The Healing Journey Lafayette
• TikTok: That WooWooTherapist Lady

If you're grieving, you're not alone. Listen, share with someone who needs it, and subscribe to Widow180.

The Cooking For One After Loss - Widow 180 Cooking Workbook is available now for instant download! Get the cookbook at www.widow180.kit.com/products/cooking

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com