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Lory's Place is here to support you in person or virtually with articles, tips, and activities that will help you on your grief journey.

If you are grieving a death and think a support group might be for you, please contact us at 269.983.2707. We’re always here and available to listen. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram  for more grief content, and you can always find us at lorysplace.org
 

 

Grief Healing Newsletter
May 16, 2024 Reporting from Niles, MI
May 16, 2024
Put It on Paper

Put It on Paper

SpectrumHealth Lakeland

“Writing is an act of discovering what you think and what you believe.”
-Dan Pink.

Have you ever thought about keeping a journal or a diary? Even if you’ve never considered yourself a writer, journaling about your grief can reap a multitude of benefits:

• It requires our bodies and minds to slow down and spend time with our grief 
• It helps us to remember, reminisce and record memories of the person who died
• It’s a private and constructive way to process difficult grief related emotions

You can find a more detailed explanation of the benefits of keeping a grief journal here: 5 Benefits of a Grief Journal - Funeral Basics

If you like the idea of journaling but would like to follow a more structured feel, we’ve included a few ideas for you below:

LOSSES OVER THE LIFE SPAN
Grief can come into our lives in many different types of losses. Writing down experiences from our past and how we got through them can help us cope with future losses. 

GRIEF NOT FROM DEATH
People experience many types of grief, even when no one significant died in their lives. Time with loved ones, moving, holidays, employment loss, and divorce are just some examples– it all can take it’s toll. Writing down all the experiences you miss may help you identify what’s truly valuable in your life. 

WRITE A LETTER TO THE PERSON WHO DIED
This is something that you can do in a journal, on the computer, or in actual letters or cards. You can keep the letters or get rid of them.  If you choose the latter and you have physical letters, you can do it in creative ways – you can tear them up and collage with them, paint over them in an art journal, or whatever else works for you.  No matter where you write them or what you do with them, these letters keep you connected with your loved one in the present. 

WRITE A LETTER TO YOURSELF
Sometimes the person we need to listen to most is ourselves. Writing a letter to yourself can allow you to face those things you may not wish to share with anyone else. Add a different perspective and try writing to your younger/older self, or even from your loved one who died. An alternative to this exercise would be to write a sympathy or other type of card to yourself.

There are also plenty of online journaling resources to help navigate writing about your loved one such as www.beyondthedash.com.

If writing isn’t your thing or you think you might need a little help, feel free to give us a call here at Lory’s Place at 269-983-2707. We have summer groups that may be just what you need to help you grieve the death of someone close to you. 

Put It on Paper
by Trisha Pickett | May 16, 2024    Share


“Writing is an act of discovering what you think and what you believe.”
-Dan Pink.

Have you ever thought about keeping a journal or a diary? Even if you’ve never considered yourself a writer, journaling about your grief can reap a multitude of benefits:

• It requires our bodies and minds to slow down and spend time with our grief 
• It helps us to remember, reminisce and record memories of the person who died
• It’s a private and constructive way to process difficult grief related emotions

You can find a more detailed explanation of the benefits of keeping a grief journal here: 5 Benefits of a Grief Journal - Funeral Basics

If you like the idea of journaling but would like to follow a more structured feel, we’ve included a few ideas for you below:

LOSSES OVER THE LIFE SPAN
Grief can come into our lives in many different types of losses. Writing down experiences from our past and how we got through them can help us cope with future losses. 

GRIEF NOT FROM DEATH
People experience many types of grief, even when no one significant died in their lives. Time with loved ones, moving, holidays, employment loss, and divorce are just some examples– it all can take it’s toll. Writing down all the experiences you miss may help you identify what’s truly valuable in your life. 

WRITE A LETTER TO THE PERSON WHO DIED
This is something that you can do in a journal, on the computer, or in actual letters or cards. You can keep the letters or get rid of them.  If you choose the latter and you have physical letters, you can do it in creative ways – you can tear them up and collage with them, paint over them in an art journal, or whatever else works for you.  No matter where you write them or what you do with them, these letters keep you connected with your loved one in the present. 

WRITE A LETTER TO YOURSELF
Sometimes the person we need to listen to most is ourselves. Writing a letter to yourself can allow you to face those things you may not wish to share with anyone else. Add a different perspective and try writing to your younger/older self, or even from your loved one who died. An alternative to this exercise would be to write a sympathy or other type of card to yourself.

There are also plenty of online journaling resources to help navigate writing about your loved one such as www.beyondthedash.com.

If writing isn’t your thing or you think you might need a little help, feel free to give us a call here at Lory’s Place at 269-983-2707. We have summer groups that may be just what you need to help you grieve the death of someone close to you. 
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Home Activities

Here are some creative grief activities for adults, children or families that can be done at home.

Forget Me Not Activity (PDF)

Memory Mask Activity (PDF)

Positive Post-Its Activity (PDF)

Questions from Quarantine Activity (PDF)

Support Chain Activity (PDF)

Wish Keeper Activity (PDF)