Ep 4: Outside Support

Rachel Heffernan was widowed nine years ago, when she was a 23 year old with three small children. She talks to me honestly about the struggles without support, her determination to create a safe and comfortable space for widows through the FB group Young Awesome Aussie Widows and Widowers, and the physical manifestations of grief she faces everyday. Also, Rachel shares some very exciting news! She volunteers so much time and effort to support other wids and I have endless respect and love for her. #widow #grief #lifeafterloss #griefandloss 

Marie Alessi has passion for loving the life she has after the tragic loss she had. She is driven to help other wids and people who have lost loved ones, by holding getaway retreats and through her activities on her website. If you even need something more to help you cope with your loss, I can recommend reaching out to Marie. She will lead you to other support if she cannot help you. She is a delight to talk to and her attitude is contagious!! Her website is below and contains all the links to the articles, Tedtalk, books, retreats, and other information about Marie. Now, excuse me for Fangirling hard in this podcast :)      https://www.mariealessi.com/ #widowhood #widow #widower #mariealessi #love #grief #loss #tedtalk #podcaster #author 

Nicki delves into the concept of the Window of Tolerance- What is it? How can understand it help us cope with adversity? What do I do to try to bring myself from hyper and hypo arousal into the Window of Tolerance. Also, there is a bit of an update from Nicki. Nicki talks about workshop by Makeshift - the education and support based agency committed to creativity and mental health: https://www.makeshift.org.au/  #widowhood #widow #widower #window of tolerance #grief

Nicki lists what she has implemented to cope through the first two years of widowhood. These may be tips for other wids on coping with their grief. She goes on to thank her family and friends for their unwavering support and love. 

*Suicide is mentioned in this episode. Please contact your local crisis centre if you are having suicidal thoughts* This episode is an interview Nicki did with Jen, a widow in the U.K. Jen's story through the grief of her fiance's death by suicide, is a must-hear for all. She talks about her grief, loss, suicide attempt, support, and secondary losses. Jen is a creative genius - Her work puts death and widowhood on the stage and we think that is so important. Jen is currently fundraising for her stage show. If you would like to be involved in sponsoring her crucial work, please email me on [email protected] and I will get the info to you. Here is the link to watch her Dear Dead Jason:  https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F528591455%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1emzpS8Ej4EnNIz7peO0835TDpID9YYmN6bcJ7fl3MTyBavDSXZ-dBpVc&h=AT3UyibJVPMjCPdyxWFU4lAPIumyzoR0blbo4npYH9Y2BnS4d0q3q9kvvNlgjhIM_VF-Wl88lWHvgT19mbssWOntfH1Lvr6V1GVDxHsIcK2_zLdPE75fqH5eaPhqgvj20kTjoWBRDcSaI5kL4Co #death #widow #widower #widowhood #suicideawareness #suicideprevention #suicidewidow #playwright #deathhumour #widowsupport #youngwidows #youngwidowers  #widowed #widow#UKwidower #UKwidow #death #grief #griefsupport #movingforward #activelygrieving

It has been 8.5 months since Naomi's dear husband, Matt, passed away. She is the mother of two littlies and talks to Nicki about their loss and widowhood.  #widowhood #widow #widower #widowsupport #youngwidows #youngwidowers #expatlife #Japan #widowed #widowedinJapan #death #grief #griefsupport #movingforward #activelygrieving

The physical and mental health effects of losing your spouse is real. It is the top of the Holmes-Rahe list of stressors. Mel and Nicki discuss this topic and what support is needed to help wids survive it. #widowhood #widow #widower #widowsupport #youngwidows #youngwidowers #expatlife #Japan #widowed #widowedinJapan #death #grief #griefsupport #movingforward #activelygrieving

Besides family and friends where does a wid turn to for support? We will talk about books, Facebook groups, Ted Talks, Widow groups that Nicki has turned to. Wids - please add your outside support in the comments of our Widowhood Podcast FB page! #widowhood #widow #widower #widowsupport #youngwidows #youngwidowers #expatlife #Japan #widowed #widowedinJapan #death #grief #griefsupport #movingforward #activelygrieving

This is from my journal about when Oki passed away. It is how I felt and what happened. It is not intended to be shocking or confronting. It is my experience. It may be triggering so please take your time and stop if needed. Thank you for listening.  #widowhood #widow #widower #widowsupport #youngwidows #youngwidowers #expatlife #Japan #widowed #widowedinJapan #death #grief #griefsupport #movingforward #activelygrieving

What is anticipatory grief? How did we handle it? How did Mel tell her children that their much-loved Uncle Oki was going to die? These are questions we tackle in this episode. BTW, "The lights are bright in here" is the beautiful phrase Oki's basketball mentor would say when he cried. It is a bit of a family fave xx  #widowhood #widow #widower #widowsupport #youngwidows #youngwidowers #expatlife #Japan #widowed #widowedinJapan #death #grief #griefsupport #movingforward #activelygrieving