Are you willing to receive kindness from others in difficult times?
Do you have friends you can laugh with in the midst of despair?
Is it okay to feel joy during the grieving process?
We’ve all experienced loss in some shape or form. It could be the loss of a dream job, a friend moving away, a health crisis, or a change in lifestyle that you didn’t plan for.
The death of a loved one is a very painful experience. It’s hard to even say the word “death” in this context. The end of a life is so final, so permanent, and so irreversible. We call it a loss to soften the blow, to help ourselves or the other person feel better.
The pain of such a loss – when experienced fully instead of being buried with busyness and distractions – is life-changing. It causes you to reflect on your life, the relationships you have, and the contributions you make.
In episode 38 of The Incrementalist, you will learn:
1) To find meaning in loss, you have to feel the emotions and allow them to just wash over you.
2) It’s okay to be not as productive, not as focused, and to drop some obligations and commitments – at least for the time being.
3) Some of the things I’m doing (or not doing) during my own grieving process.
4) Scaling back to prioritize the essentials doesn’t mean you stop brainstorming ideas, making progress, producing things or sharing your creative output.
5) Sharing is a way to connect with others and to build human connections.
6) In the midst of deep despair, you can also have true joy. You oscillate between the two. A memory can trigger mixed emotions – it can bring a smile to your face, or cause tears to fall.
“Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength not weakness.“
7) Your friends are there for you even when you’re not at your best or living the best version of yourself.
8) Through mindful accommodation, you can use the pain of loss to live more fully.
Resource cited:
- Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Music by:
- Sebastian Brian Mehr: Album – Olemus; Song – La Nieve (hearnow.com)
To listen to episode 38, Love and Connection in a Time of Loss, click here. If you prefer to read the transcript, go here. Subscribe to The Incrementalist at Apple Podcasts or other apps.
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Dyan Williams is a solo lawyer who practices U.S. immigration law and legal ethics at Dyan Williams Law PLLC. She is also a productivity coach who helps working parents, lawyers, small business owners and other busy people turn their ideas into action, reduce overwhelm, and focus on what truly matters. She is the author of The Incrementalist: A Simple Productivity System to Create Big Results in Small Steps.
