Shelby Forsythia - Your Grief Your Way: 365 Days of Comfort and Practical Guidance

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A heaping armful of love to my community of wonderful Grief Growers, including my Patreon supporters, my clients and students, and my ever-expanding community of readers and podcast listeners. We are all walking one another home.

Big thanks to Dad, for firm foundations; to Susan, for bursts of cheer; to Paige, for parades of excitement; to Hattie, for invitations to play; to Lu, for rejoicing in the flow; and to Mom, for getting me here in more ways than one.

Endless gratitude to Tami, Emily, Gabby, and the Girl Gang, for never-ending hype and constant reminders to celebrate the wins.

Boundless appreciation to Meg, for reaching out; to Susan, for polishing the stone; and to Meredith, for tossing my hat into the ring.

Finally, a small, quiet thank-you to the griever I became on December 26, 2013. I exist today because you chose to live on. I am proud to carry you forward with me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelby Forsythia is the author of Permission to Grieve and the podcast host of Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss. After the unexpected death of her mother in 2013, she became a student of grief and set out on a lifetime mission to explore the often misunderstood human experience of loss. Through her books, weekly podcasts, and one-on-one grief guidance, she helps grieving people find direction, get support, and cultivate radical self-compassion after devastating loss. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Bustle, and O, the Oprah Magazine. Visit her website at www.shelbyforsythia.com.

RESOURCES

The following websites and books can provide you with additional support in your life after loss. I know, because these are the resources that helped me in my own life. Of course, take what works for you and discard the rest.

WEBSITES

Work with a licensed therapist online via chat, phone, or video:

https://www.betterhelp.com/start/?go=true&transaction_id=102687bb501275b707c2c0c9f61639&utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=123&utm_medium=Desktop&utm_content=&utm_term=shelbyforsythia&not_found=1&gor=start

Find grief support online or in person:

The Compassionate Friends

www.compassionatefriends.org

The Grief Recovery Method

www.griefrecoverymethod.com

Hospice Foundation of America

www.hospicefoundation.org

Make a will and learn to cope with the reality of your own death:

Going with Grace

www.goingwithgrace.com

Join guided workshops and communities for reentering life after loss:

Refuge in Grief

www.refugeingrief.com

Second Firsts

www.secondfirsts.com

Read funny, poignant, and practical stories on grief in the 21st century:

Modern Loss

www.modernloss.com

Whats Your Grief?

www.whatsyourgrief.com

BOOKS

in no particular order

Permission to Grieve , by Shelby Forsythia

A deep dive into undoing societys teaching about grief and learning to honor our own.

On Living , by Kerry Egan

Reflective, inspiring accounts from a hospice chaplains bedside.

Second Firsts , by Christina Rasmussen

One womans journey to reenter life after the death of her husband.

Confessions of a Funeral Director , by Caleb Wilde

A touching selection of grief stories through the eyes of a sixth-generation funeral director.

Its OK That Youre Not OK , by Megan Devine

Validation and normalization of grief, especially the dark parts.

Modern Loss , by Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner

Funny, poignant, and practical stories from grievers in the digital age.

Option B , by Sheryl Sandberg

Part memoir, part scientific study on life after a loved one dies.

When Breath Becomes Air , by Paul Kalanithi

A beautiful, tissue-worthy true story of a neurosurgeons decline into death.

There Is No Good Card for This , by Emily McDowell and Dr. Kelsey Crowe

A witty illustrated guide for friends of grievers on how to support a grieving person.

Grief Works , by Julia Samuel

A collection of relationship-specific (loss of a spouse, loss of a child, and so on) loss journeys seen through the eyes of a therapist.

Tuesdays with Morrie , by Mitch Albom

One mans account of his favorite teachers end of life.

Advice for Dying Corpses (And Those Who Love Them) , by Sallie Tisdale

Down-to-earth, human instruction on honoring a good death and creating one for yourself.

Hi there,

We hope you found comfort reading Your Grief, Your Way. If you have any questions or concerns about your book, please contact so we can take care of them. Were here and happy to help.

Also, please consider writing a review on your favorite retailers website to let others know what you thought of the book and to help them with their buying decision.

Sincerely,
Zeitgeist Publishing

Be willing to be a beginner every single morning. Meister Eckhart

Each new day, each new year, is an opportunity to be a student of life. Its humbling to assume the role of beginner, especially as you age, but doing so can help you see your life, your friends and family, and your grief through fresh eyes. Admitting the very human truth that you dont know everything allows you to remain curious and engaged instead of closed off. Being willing to be a beginner is not about being nave or unwise; its about being open to learning something new every single day.

Many recovery programs advise taking life one day at a time. This phrase is helpful when youre reeling in the overwhelming anxiety of figuring out how to do grief in the long term. Consider coming up with a mantra that encourages you to take life after loss one day at a time. Some of my favorites are Just do the next right thing, I have everything I need in this moment, and as my quirky middle school science teacher used to say, All will be revealed. These supportive one-sentence mantras are grounding reminders that your goal in grief is not to figure out the Entire Rest of Your Life in one sitting, but to make it through today. For an extra boost, write your mantra down and hang it where youll see it oftenover a desk, on a bathroom mirror, or inside a kitchen cabinet.