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When we dive into the depths of grief, guilt, and self-judgment, we uncover a tangle of emotions that can overwhelm us. Picture walking on an uncharted beach, where every step brings new challenges, e…
When we dive into th…
When we dive into the depths of grief, guilt, and self-judgment, we uncover a tangle of emotions that can overwhelm us. Picture walking on an uncharted beach, where every step brings new challenges, each one laden with its own emotional weight. Grief is our natural response to loss. There are ebbs and flows like waves. Some days, we’re riding the wave; and other times we’re plunging into despair. Amidst this whirlwind, guilt often creeps in, wrapping around memories and decisions, whispering “What if?” and “Should have.” Self-judgment joins the fray, scrutinizing your thoughts and …
Maria Belanic
July 26, 2024 Have you ever found yourself caught in the relentless grip of self-criticism? That nagging voice in your head constantly shouting words of doubt and discouragement. You’re not alone. Maybe you’ve …
Have you ever found …
Have you ever found yourself caught in the relentless grip of self-criticism? That nagging voice in your head constantly shouting words of doubt and discouragement. You’re not alone. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “What if I had..” It’s a question many of us grapple with, especially when we’re grieving. Grief has a way of affecting our thoughts telling us what we “should or shouldn’t have done. It shames us into believing we have control over the situation and could have done things differently. This can lead to making us feel insecure and unsure about ourselves. It’s like we…
Maria Belanic
July 19, 2024 People think grief just drifts away – like blowing dandelion seeds into the wind and watching them drift away. Loss is a topic that often gets brushed aside or misunderstood, but its impact is profo…
People think grief j…
People think grief just drifts away – like blowing dandelion seeds into the wind and watching them drift away. Loss is a topic that often gets brushed aside or misunderstood, but its impact is profound and undeniable. When you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, you know firsthand the weight of grief. It’s not something that can be easily shaken off or forgotten. It lingers, sometimes quietly, sometimes overwhelmingly, but always present. Grief isn’t just about moving on or forgetting those who have passed. It’s about carrying their memory, honouring their life, and navigating th…
Maria Belanic
July 12, 2024 Can you imagine a world where you can navigate your grief without fear of judgment? Think about it for a moment. How would it feel without the weight of others’ opinions? It may sound like a dream, …
Can you imagine a wo…
Can you imagine a world where you can navigate your grief without fear of judgment? Think about it for a moment. How would it feel without the weight of others’ opinions? It may sound like a dream, but it’s entirely possible. Embracing our authentic selves in grief isn’t about “getting over it; it’s about being unapologetically you, even in your most vulnerable moments. The Power of Authenticity in Grief When we talk about authenticity, especially in grief, we’re talking about getting real with ourselves. It’s an act of courage and self-love. When you choose to be authentic in yo…
Maria Belanic
July 7, 2024 Grief is complex! It’s messy, overwhelming, and doesn’t follow any rules. One moment you’re okay, the next, you’re not sure how to breathe. If you’re reading this, chances are you know this …
Grief is complex! It…
Grief is complex! It’s messy, overwhelming, and doesn’t follow any rules. One moment you’re okay, the next, you’re not sure how to breathe. If you’re reading this, chances are you know this feeling all too well. Maybe you’ve recently had a loved one pass away or even years ago, and every day feels like a battle just to make it through. I get it. I’ve been there. And while I won’t pretend to have all the answers, I can offer you a small, but precious, gift: pockets of peace. What Are Pockets of Peace? Pockets of peace are those brief, fleeting moments where the pain of grief loo…
Maria Belanic
June 22, 2024 There is More to Grief Than Anyone Knows When we talk about grief, the first thing that often comes to mind is the loss of a loved one. It’s the most recognized form of loss and just the tip of the …
There is More to Gri…
There is More to Grief Than Anyone Knows When we talk about grief, the first thing that often comes to mind is the loss of a loved one. It’s the most recognized form of loss and just the tip of the iceberg. Grief is vast and complex, an umbrella under which many different types of loss fall. Each type brings its own set of challenges and secondary losses, all of which deserve recognition The Loss of a Loved OneThe pain of losing your loved one is profound and can feel insurmountable. Emotions can manifest as tears, numbness, anger, or even relief, and each expression is valid. With the los…
Maria Belanic
May 31, 2024 In a society that often shies away from the rawness of loss, embracing your authentic self can be challenging. Know that it’s okay to be exactly where you are. There is no right or wrong way to grie…
In a society that of…
In a society that often shies away from the rawness of loss, embracing your authentic self can be challenging. Know that it’s okay to be exactly where you are. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Your journey is yours alone, and your love, your memories, and your connection to your loved one shape it. Embrace your authenticity, and let it guide you in the waves of grief, knowing that you are not alone. David Kessler, a renowned expert in grief and loss, beautifully puts it, “Each person’s grief is as unique as their fingerprint.“ This quote encapsulates the individuality of you…
Maria Belanic
May 17, 2024 
Cultivating Awareness: The Heart-Centered Path to Healing Life is a journey, as is grief, and there’s a profound need for compassion and awareness. As a grief educator, I’ve witnessed the transfor…
Cultivating Awarenes…
Cultivating Awareness: The Heart-Centered Path to Healing Life is a journey, as is grief, and there’s a profound need for compassion and awareness. As a grief educator, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of embracing these qualities. I invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing through the lens of the 5 pillars of CARE: Compassion, Awareness, Release, Empowerment, and Evolving. Nurturing Your Heart Compassion is the cornerstone of healing. It’s about extending kindness not only to others but also to yourself. In challenges, it’s easy to be self-critical or neg…
Maria Belanic
May 2, 2024 Will I ever get up without the heavy burden of grief in the mornings? It’s a question that echoes through the silent chambers of your heart.A question that reverberates in the stillness of the ni…
Will I ever get up w…
Will I ever get up without the heavy burden of grief in the mornings? It’s a question that echoes through the silent chambers of your heart.A question that reverberates in the stillness of the night when the world sleeps, but your mind wrestles with the weight of loss. You’re not alone in this. The journey of grief is a path many tread, each step heavy with memories, pain, and a longing for peace of mind. Every morning brings with it a new struggle to rise from the depths of despair, to face a world that seems indifferent to your anguish. The weight of grief sits heavily upon your ches…
Maria Belanic
April 25, 2024 Loss is a topic that often gets brushed aside or misunderstood, but its impact is profound and undeniable. If you’ve ever experienced the loss of a loved one, you know firsthand the weight of grief.…
Loss is a topic that…
Loss is a topic that often gets brushed aside or misunderstood, but its impact is profound and undeniable. If you’ve ever experienced the loss of a loved one, you know firsthand the weight of grief. It’s not something that can be easily shaken off or forgotten. It lingers, sometimes quietly, sometimes overwhelmingly, but always present. Grief isn’t just about moving on or forgetting those who have passed. It’s about carrying their memory with us, honouring their life, and navigating the complex emotions that come with loss. It’s about finding a way to live with the ache in your hear…
Maria Belanic
April 12, 2024 After years of feeling numb and trapped in the aftermath of loss, I had a profound realization It’s been over a decade since my oldest son Stefan, passed away, yet the pain at times still feels fres…
After years of feeli…
After years of feeling numb and trapped in the aftermath of loss, I had a profound realization It’s been over a decade since my oldest son Stefan, passed away, yet the pain at times still feels fresh, raw, and all-consuming. I’ve spent countless nights tossing and turning, trying to escape the suffocating grip of grief. At times, it felt like I was pulled into a sea of emotions, unable to find solid ground. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you’ve experienced your own version of this heaviness, this sense of being lost in the shadows of loss. My journey, like so many mothers is universal and y…
Maria Belanic
March 28, 2024 Have you ever found yourself caught in the relentless grip of self-criticism? You know, that nagging voice in your head that constantly shouts words of doubt and discouragement? Yeah, we’ve all been…
Have you ever found …
Have you ever found yourself caught in the relentless grip of self-criticism? You know, that nagging voice in your head that constantly shouts words of doubt and discouragement? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But guess what? It’s time to rewrite that script and reclaim your inner peace. How? By embracing the transformative power of self-compassion. Grief can make us feel super insecure and unsure about ourselves. It’s like we’re surrounded by negative thoughts that make us doubt everything we do. “You’re not good enough,” it sneers. “You never should have….” Ouch. it’s all t…
Maria Belanic
March 14, 2024 As I sit down to share my thoughts, I want you to know that this is a safe space—a space where the rawness of grief is acknowledged, and the complexities of loss are understood. If you’ve experien…
As I sit down to sha…
As I sit down to share my thoughts, I want you to know that this is a safe space—a space where the rawness of grief is acknowledged, and the complexities of loss are understood. If you’ve experienced the profound ache of losing a child, a part of your heart, your very essence, knows the journey I’m sharing. Grief is a maze, and each of us navigates it uniquely. No handbook can capture the intricate chaos of emotions—the moments of deep sadness, the flickers of joy in remembering, and the echoes of our child in the everyday. It’s a journey that twists and turns, but I’m here to say …
Maria Belanic
March 1, 2024 In the web of grief, it’s easy to find ourselves in the pursuit of fixing what feels broken. Yet, what if, instead of trying to mend the pieces, we allowed ourselves to sit with the discomfort and e…
In the web of grief,…
In the web of grief, it’s easy to find ourselves in the pursuit of fixing what feels broken. Yet, what if, instead of trying to mend the pieces, we allowed ourselves to sit with the discomfort and embrace our emotions with compassion? Let’s face it – Grief is uninvited and unexpected on our life’s journey, and often brings fears to the forefront. Fears of facing the pain, fears of never healing, and fears of a future that seems uncertain. Yet, it’s important to be aware of these fears, to acknowledge their existence without judgment, and to align with the intuition that whispers with…
Maria Belanic
February 16, 2024 In the hushed corridors of loss, where pain echoes with each heartbeat, the grief journey began. It’s a journey I never imagined, one thrust upon me when my oldest son passed away, leaving me feelin…
In the hushed corrid…
In the hushed corridors of loss, where pain echoes with each heartbeat, the grief journey began. It’s a journey I never imagined, one thrust upon me when my oldest son passed away, leaving me feeling like the shattered pieces of a life once whole. Each day seemed an eternity, a relentless wave of intense pain that I believed would never recede. Weeks turned to months, and years blurred into a numbing haze. The world outside felt confusing and altered, much like the internal landscape I was navigating. “Get over it and move on,” people said as if grief is a mere inconvenience, a fleeting …
Maria Belanic
February 7, 2024 The “woulda, coulda, shoulda” weaves a web of illusions around our minds. The weight of guilt and self-judgment after the loss of a loved one with the haunting “would haves,” “could haves,…
The “woulda, could…
The “woulda, coulda, shoulda” weaves a web of illusions around our minds. The weight of guilt and self-judgment after the loss of a loved one with the haunting “would haves,” “could haves,” and “if only” echo in your thoughts, casting a shadow on the present moment. 1. In the midst of sorrow, it’s easy to be swallowed by the weight of guilt and self-judgment. We often find ourselves questioning, “Did I do enough?” or “Could I have changed the course of events?” These thoughts create an additional burden, making an already challenging path seem insurmountable. But what…
Maria Belanic
January 25, 2024 In the quiet dance of snowflakes, there exists a subtle metaphor for the intricate complexities of grief. As the cold descends and blankets the world in a serene quietude, our lives, much like the cit…
In the quiet dance o…
In the quiet dance of snowflakes, there exists a subtle metaphor for the intricate complexities of grief. As the cold descends and blankets the world in a serene quietude, our lives, much like the city under a fresh layer of snow, can become frozen with the chilling embrace of self-doubt and indecision. Imagine a snow-covered city, quiet and frozen. That’s a bit like how grief can make your life feel—cold, unsure, and stuck in self-doubt. Like the icy chill of winter, grief can sneak into every part of your life. It messes with your identity, your Relationships, and how you see yourself. I…
Maria Belanic
January 18, 2024 
