Dear Teresa, 

If you’ve ever been told to “just give it time” or “stay strong,” you’re not alone. Society has ingrained the idea that grief follows a neat, predictable path—like a checklist to complete before moving on. The truth is, grief isn’t linear. It’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal. 

Have you ever felt like you 'should' be further along in your grief because of what 'others' have said? How did that make you feel?

Many of us have been told myths like:
 “Time heals all wounds.” (Time itself doesn’t heal—it’s what we do with that time that matters.)
 “You have to grieve alone.” (Connection can be one of the most powerful healing tools.)
 “Keep busy to distract yourself.” (Avoidance only prolongs the pain—it’s okay to pause and feel.)
 “Be strong for others.” (True strength comes from allowing yourself to be vulnerable and receive support.)

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means learning to carry your grief in a way that allows you to live fully again while honoring your loved one.

Tools for Navigating the Ups & Downs of Grief

Grief isn’t a straight road—it’s a winding path with unexpected turns. Here are a few ways to navigate the journey with more grace and self-compassion:

• Journaling – Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help process grief and bring clarity. Try responding to this grief prompt: I know I am feeling better because…” One of the most valuable aspects of grief journaling is that it is a way to chart progress and challenges as grief is experienced. People find it very helpful to look back and read what they have written. It can offer clear reminders of where you were emotionally at different points along the way while grieving. For many people, it shows how far they’ve come over a period of time that can be hard to recognize otherwise.

• Mindfulness & Breathing Exercises – When emotions feel overwhelming, take a few moments to breathe deeply and ground yourself in the present. Here is a great YouTube video to walk you through a breathe exercise. Click Here  
• Finding Community – Sharing your story with others who “get it” can lighten the weight of grief. Support groups and coaching provide safe spaces for this connection.

Client Reflection

When Tara first came to me, she felt completely overwhelmed—like she was drowning in emotions she couldn’t sort through. She knew she needed help, but she didn’t realize just how much she was carrying. As we worked together, she uncovered something powerful: she wasn’t just grieving the loss of her son. Layers of unprocessed grief from other losses had been weighing her down, making it impossible to fully grieve and heal.

By giving herself permission to feel, instead of pushing her emotions away, something shifted. She found moments of peace she never thought possible. “I finally stopped telling myself how I should grieve and allowed myself to feel in my own way—without guilt. That’s when true healing began.”

Grief is never just one thing. It’s complicated, layered, and deeply personal. If you’ve been struggling to untangle your emotions, know that you’re not alone—and healing is possible when you give yourself the space to truly feel.

Are You Ready for Support? Healing isn’t about waiting for time to do the work—it’s about taking small, intentional steps toward peace. If you're ready to explore your grief journey with guidance and support, I have 3 openings for 1-on-1 coaching at the beginning of February and 5 spots in an upcoming group session that I'm plan to host in Edwardsville, IL.

I’m curious if this is the right next step for you? Let’s have a conversation. Reply to this email and we’ll set up a time to see if this is the right fit for you.

 

 Click Here to Play the Song

 

 

 

 

🎵 A Song to Lift Your Spirit: Music has a unique way of reaching the places words cannot. It can hold space for sorrow, bring comfort in the quiet moments, and even awaken a sense of hope when everything feels heavy. Whether it’s a song that reminds you of a loved one, a melody that soothes your heart, or lyrics that seem to put your emotions into words, music can be a powerful companion on the grief journey. It allows you to feel, release, and heal—one note at a time. When words fail, let music speak. 🎶

 

🎙Exciting news! Our podcast has officially been relaunched and rebranded as Female Voices: Life & Loss—a space where real conversations about love, loss, and healing take center stage. My co-host, LaWayna Berry, and I are diving deeper than ever into the journeys that shape us—grief, resilience, and the powerful ways women show up for themselves and each other. Whether you’re navigating loss, seeking connection, or simply looking for honest and heartfelt discussions, this podcast is for you. 

Join us on this journey! Listen to the latest episode (Click to Listen), and let us know what topics resonate most with you. Your voice matters, and we’d love to hear from you!

 

Take a Moment to Acknowledge Yourself. Grief takes immense strength—strength that you show every single day, even on the hardest ones. Give yourself credit for your resilience, your courage, and your willingness to keep moving forward, no matter how slowly.

 

  Hope and Healing,

Teresa Reiniger

Grief Resilience Specialist with Living After Grief

 “My mission is to work with compassionate grieving women to navigate their path of grief, fostering resilience and finding clarity and understanding in their journey. My role as a Grief Resilience Specialist is to support them in reclaiming their freedom to live fully and to cultivate a deeper sense of trust in themselves as they move through the healing process."

 I am here to support you on your grief journey to find peace and joy.

Book a Hope Exploration Session:

During this session we will:

• Assess Where You Are Currently:  Understand where you are right now and identify the emotional triggers that are holding you.
• Clarify Your Desires and Vision: Clarity and Understanding to live your life fully while honoring your loved one.
• Explore Collaboration: If I'm confident that I can help you, I’ll share how we can work together to achieve your goals.

Sound good? Click the link to schedule a time to talk.

Book A Call: