The Year of Firsts: Grief, Growth, and Starting Over

In this intimate solo episode, I'm opening up about one of the most challenging aspects of grief that I don't think we talk about enough: letting go of past versions of ourselves and looking towards our new self.Grief doesn’t only change our world; it fundamentally changes who we are and how we see ourselves in the world. I'm sharing today my personal journey of navigating these profound identity shifts through my various experiences of loss, up to some very present day revelations. How these revelations have revealed to me, the term 'letting go' hasn't been about resistance of letting loved ones go as that's simply not possible, but really and truly about letting the hand of a past version of Amber go. It's big, it's deep, it's woo-woo. It's very dare, I say...the new me.Big love,Amber xxxConnect with The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteIf this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Share this episode with someone who might need to hear it today!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, I'm welcoming Sara Rian.Sara Rian is a poet, self-published author, mother, wife, licensed therapist, and griever living in Metro Detroit. She has been drawn to grief poetry ever since her mother's death in 2018. Her mother embraced the power of words through her own love notes and poems and had always wanted to publish a book. As a mental health professional, suicide loss survivor, and grieving human, Sara shares her work with others to let them know that they are not alone in their big love or big grief. Sara opens up in this episode about the complexities of grief that come with such a profound loss through suicide, and how she found solace and healing through the power of words and poetry. Her experience shines a light on the struggles and emotional waves that follow, offering a compassionate perspective for others who may be grappling with a similar experience.Towards the end of the episode (Where Sara also shares some exclusive poetry with us!) Sara explains how writing became and is a vital outlet for her to express feelings that often felt too overwhelming to speak aloud. Writing that makes and made her tremble as she put pen to paper. Poetry provided her with a space to give voice to sorrow, confusion, guilt, and hope, helping her to process and navigate this world of grief.This episode also touches on the healing potential of writing for others facing grief. Sara encourages us to explore our own creative outlets and to remember at the core of it all, our why. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or have never tried poetry, I hope Sara’s insights will inspire you to take that first step, to embracing writing as a gentle companion on this path of grief.Connect with Sara Rian:•Instagram •Website Big love,Amber xConnect with The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteIf this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Share this episode with someone who might need to hear it today!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's talk about will's baby!In this week's episode, I'm talking with Sam Grice, founder of Octopus Legacy. Sam founded Octopus Legacy after his Mum died in a car accident. She died suddenly and didn’t have a plan in place. As a lot of us have learnt the hard way, losing someone you love is tough enough, without everything else that comes with it. Sam and his family had to deal with the shock and grief that came with her death, as well as navigating mountains of legal admin and financial paperwork, all when it was needed the least.It was overwhelming, and Sam knew he wasn’t alone. So he set up Octopus Legacy, to try and solve the problem for other families like his. Now Octopus Legacy, which is part of the Octopus group, helps people plan for death and find support after loss - to make life that little bit simpler for those of us left behind after someone dies. All with the mission of making life easier for those of us left behind, to free up space so we can focus on what matters.Octopus Legacy is a place to plan for death and find support after a loss. They’ve partnered with charities across the UK, so that you can update your will for free, until November 6th. You can write your will in whatever way suits you best: online, over the phone or face-to-face. The cost of the will is covered by whichever charity you choose – many choose to leave a gift to charity as a thank you, but it isn’t required to claim the offer. No matter what assets you have or your situation, having a will helps to save time, money, and stress for the people you leave behind. Claim your free will at the following link: https://octopuslegacy.com/free-will-october?utm_channel=partner&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=2024autumnolads&utm_campaign=thegriefgang&utm_term=podcastListening after November 6th? Get 50% off an online will here with an exclusive Grief Gang discount code: https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?utm_campaign=thegriefgang This offering and ep is not an ad or sponsorship. Just a company I know and love doing good work that I think you should know about!Big love,Amber xConnect with The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteIf this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Share this episode with someone who might need to hear it today!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to season 7!In this episode, I'm diving into the journey of navigating the year of firsts after the death of my friend, Poppy. I explore how grief impacts our personal and professional lives, the ways disassociation can emerge as a coping mechanism and can actually be beneficial, and the unexpected lessons I've learned in healing and personal growth. You’ll also hear for the first time on the podcast what it has been like starting a business in the midst of the most emotionally weighted time of my life.Key Topics Covered:•Grief and the “Year of Firsts”: What navigating the year of firsts has been like for me, even with 8 years of grief under my belt already. My unexpected pleasant experience of Poppy's 1 year anniversary and what it has taught me, once again.•Coping with Disassociation: Understanding and sharing how disassociation as a coping mechanism during intense grief has kept me afloat and it's positives to me.•Building a Business During Grief: My insight into starting a business while navigating personal loss.It feels really good to be back and I hope you enjoy this episode and the season ahead!Big love,Amber xConnect with The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteIf this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Share this episode with someone who might need to hear it today!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm back with a lil bonus ep for your ears. In this bonus episode I'm giving you a recap on this summer and what I've been navigating. As a family, we celebrated the wedding of my older brother and what would be our Mum's 60th birthday...it's been quite the summer.I hope this episode can give you a small insight into what it's like to navigate such milestones and perhaps give you a little bit of hope that it all might be okay in the end.Events mentioned in the episode:if we don’t laugh in conversation with The Grief Gang and Suicide&Co- Wednesday 25th September at Feel Good Club Manchester.Suicide and Co retreat at The Falcon, Northampton. October 2024.Big love,Amber xFollow and be part of The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And it's a wrap for Season 6 of TGG podcast!What a whirlwind of a season it's been. One I'll never forget, that's for sure. I decided for this final episode, I wanted to hit the pavement again. Get outside in nature to bring this season to a close.Thank you all, for your continuous love and support for this podcast. It means more than you'll ever know.Big love,Amber xFollow and be part of The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this years Father's Day episode 2024.The episode where we get to hear directly from TGG audience on this special and difficult day for many. If you're a regular listener, you'll know the score with these episodes. If you're new here, this episode consists of submissions from TGG audience sharing their loved ones, memories and advice for their fellow griever on difficult days such as Father's Day.As always, thank you so much to all who have contributed, it truly means the world to me that you entrust me with your special memories, sharings and people.Big love,Amber xFollow and be part of The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I'm talking about getting older than your loved one who died.It's been a topic that has come up most recently in my group circles and when sharing this with TGG community, it seemed to be something that was on their brains too. It can be a hugely daunting and unknown feeling reaching the age your person died. These are years and ages they have never seen, how do we hold and navigate that? Listen to this episode to hear directly how TGG audience do and what their experiences are.Big love,Amber xFollow and be part of The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me for a rogue, stompy, out of breath griefy walk. I decided to pick up the phone, head out and just record. Enjoy the waffle as I fill you in on where I'm at with grief at this present moment. I hope you enjoy it! (and the sounds of nature too)Big love,Amber xFollow and be part of The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I'm speaking with End of Life Doula, Anna Lyons.Anna also fronts the incredible online platform Life, Death, Whatever which was one of the first accounts I came across when I started Grief Gang! In this episode, Anna shares with us what brought her to this line of work, what is the role of an end of life doula and why we find as a society talking about death so difficult.Talking about death and dying isn't as bad as we think it is, we all just need a little support in it. I hope this episode can provide some of that!Big love,Amber xFollow and be part of The Grief Gang community:Enquire about Grief Gang 1:1 and group circle mentoring hereBook onto a Grief Gang group circle hereInstagramTwitterFacebookYoutubeTikTokSubstackWebsiteSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thegriefgang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.