BARGAINING might look like pleading with self or others for things to be different than how they are, ruminating on “what ifs”, believing things “should” be different than how they are, making resolutions, a sense of “grasping” in the body.

Denial can look like: feeling stuck, an inability to say what happened, pretending as if nothing happened, not changing anything in your life to accommodate the loss, refusing to talk about the person or what happened, physical feeling of being small or hidden.

Please know that the stages of grief are not linear, and are not exclusive.  By this I mean that you probably will experience each stage of grief, but you won’t experience them in order, you won’t experience them once, you will never “complete” them, and you will also experience a lot of other emotions. 

Know that it’s ok to dread upcoming days. And there is no right or wrong way to celebrate, or even acknowledge, significant dates. I have found that for many people I have worked with, the anticipation of the day is actually worse than the day itself, although for you that might be different. You are allowed to say no to anything that doesn’t feel right to you.

Not a lot of people know this (I even forget it myself), but in 2006 I had big goals of working in the fashion industry.  I had completed a program in Merchandise Marketing, I was working at a then-little-known company called Lululemon, and I saw myself working as a buyer for some oh-so-cool clothing company.

Grief, while an intensely painful experience, can also be a profound catalyst for personal growth. This post explores how the deeply emotional journey of grieving the death of a loved one can reshape your understanding of life and inspire personal development.

The holiday season, often synonymous with joy and gathering, can become a landscape of emotional navigation when you're mourning the death of a loved one. The absence of familiar faces is felt more acutely against the backdrop of festive celebrations. This extensive guide is designed to help you manage grief during the holidays, offering strategies that honor both your emotions and the memory of your loved ones.

For those who find the holiday spirit overshadowed by sadness or loss, it's essential to recognize that your feelings are valid and that there's no "right" way to cope. Each person's grief journey is unique, and during the holidays, this journey can feel even more solitary and poignant.

Welcome to the less talked about side of grief, where the sadness is massive, but the anger? Oh, it’s monumental. If you've ever wanted to punch a pillow (or a wall—though we don't recommend it) while grieving, you're not alone, you're not overreacting, and there’s nothing wrong with you. This post is your unofficial permission slip to feel and express that anger without guilt.

Imagine it: Thanksgiving—supposedly a time for gratitude, pumpkin pie, and family reunions. But when you're grieving, it's more like a time for awkward silences, forced smiles, and dodging questions about how you're really feeling. Yes, spending Thanksgiving without your person is outright shitty.

Grieving the death of a partner is an immensely personal and profound journey, one that can feel even more burdensome as the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce. The shift into the darker months can often mirror the internal landscape of grief—where feelings of solitude and sadness can deepen with the encroaching shadows. However, within this darkness, there are glimmers of light and warmth to be found, ways to nurture your spirit, and methods to carry you gently through these longer nights.

Welcome to the fourth post in our new monthly series, which delves into the ancient wisdom of yoga and its profound philosophies. Laura Walton, the founder of lovelew, attests to yoga's incredible healing powers, especially in navigating the turbulent waters of grief. With its deep roots and comprehensive practices, yoga offers a sanctuary for those seeking to reconnect with their bodies and find grounding when other connections seem lost.

The Fourth of July celebrates freedom and joy with its festive atmosphere, fireworks, and family gatherings. However, for those who are grieving the sudden death of a partner, this holiday can bring a contrasting experience of sorrow and isolation amidst the festivities. If you're a young woman navigating grief during this time, managing your emotions while engaging in social settings can be challenging, yet also crucial for your emotional well-being.

Today, we dive into Satya (Truthfulness). Satya, the Sanskrit term for truthfulness, is one of the cardinal virtues in yoga philosophy. As the second of the five yamas, Satya challenges us to live and speak our truth. More than simply avoiding falsehood, Satya compels us to embrace honesty in a way that aligns our actions with our true selves. This becomes profoundly significant when dealing with grief, as the person we often deceive the most is ourselves.

The sudden death of a partner is akin to a night sky abruptly lit by fireworks: intense, unexpected, and overwhelming, with emotions bursting forth uncontrollably. For young women in their 20s to 40s, this explosion of feelings can be particularly disorienting as you navigate through a period that should have been spent planning futures, not coping with sudden death. Understanding and managing these "fireworks of feelings" is crucial in healing and finding a new sense of normalcy.