Category: Art Therapy

When words are missing. How to support each other through grief.

15/10/2017

Two weeks ago, a group of like-minded people met and we talked about all things life.

One of our group members shared her recent experience of grief and helplessness over the suicide of a loved one.

We all went silent. Most of us cried with her and for the family that was left behind with many unanswered questions.

There were no words to comfort. No words to make it easier for her.
There were only our open hearts to listen and be with her fully.

Just being there for each other and listening is healing.

We all know that it doesn’t take the pain of grieving away but the sharing helps to realize that we are not alone in this.

Are you in the midst of grieving or a painful anniversary date is coming your way soon? Reach out to people that are open to listen to you and/or just be with you.

May you all find loving support even when your own words are missing.

Take good care,
Jacqueline

Lifting layers of grief through art therapy?

17/9/2017

Art making opens your soul and expresses what was waiting deep inside. HealingForGrievingHearts.com

When we are grieving if feels like our brain shuts down. Our focus shifts to the hurt in our heart and soul.

Our normal thought processes are interrupted by the experience of our feelings. More often than not we don’t have any words for what we feel. Our heart clenches. We have difficulties breathing. We long for a moment of peace and quiet inside our torn hearts.

In our younger years we have experienced loss of love and belonging before. We might have lost a pet, a friendship, a job, or had to move to a new city. Our younger self dealt with these loses. Most often it stored them and packed them away under layers of belief systems, we created, to survive the hurt.

At one point we encounter a new loss. This one can become the straw that brakes the camel’s back.

Talking about what is going on inside becomes difficult. We are missing the words that might bring us help.

This is where art therapy can help because we all think in images.

Experiment:

Don’t think of a tree right now.

No really, don’t think of a tree.

Did you see a tree with your inner eye when you read it?

Art therapy uses our ability of visual imagery to help us find the expression of our feelings. We don’t have to be artists or have knowledge of art making to do so. Our soul will guide us to find the expression that is helping us the most in that very moment. It will help us to shed layers of sadness and believes that are not necessary anymore.

By expressing our grief, our sadness, our heart break in a hands-on art making process the soul feels recognized and heard. The healing process starts.

If you want to know more about art therapy and grief coaching and how it can help you? Follow the link to read more or send me an email.

I am here for you.

Take good care,
Jacqueline

Are there any stages of grief?

28/2/2017

Follow the rope or skip it when you feel like it. It is you that decides. HealingForGrievingHearts.com

I get asked that question a lot. So here is what I say to those that aren't sure:

There are no clearly defined stages of grief. Every person grieves in their unique way. Trying to put anyone into a defined stage of grief only leads to more hurt.

Suppose anyone approaches us with their feelings of grief. We should just be quiet, open our hearts and listen to that person without judgment or advice. It is OK to say to them that we have no words (for their grief).

Even if we have experienced loss ourselves in the past, we still don't know how our friends or family members feel when they experience the death of a loved one. We don't know what they are feeling. Grief has no clearly defined rules or timelines.

Please be there for each other, keep your heart open and your mouth shut (smile).

Listening from your heart is the most significant gift you can give in any grief situation.

Take good care,
Jacqueline

Does humour help you when you are grieving?

31/1/2017

I work with my art therapy clients in person or online by Skype if they live far away or don’t feel they can make it out of the house that day.

When I help a client navigate through their grieving process in person we meet at the art studio. The studio is a good size and the windows give the room a feel of lightness.

The room is separated from the other artist studios on the same floor. If one laughs out loud others outside the studio might hear it in the hallway.

One day after one of the Healing for Grieving Hearts sessions one of the artists, that knows about the work I do, said: “I was so surprised to hear laughter coming out of the studio. Don’t you work with grieving people?"

I was surprised that she would just assume, that when navigating through the process of grief, that humour and laughter would not be a part of it.

If you have met me in person, you know that humour is a big part of my personality. (smile)

If one of my clients tells a funny story about the loved one that has died then we laugh together. Why wouldn’t we? It isn’t that we are making fun of them. The opposite, we acknowledge all sides of their life by sharing these too.

Grieving doesn’t have to be all tears and gloom. Yes, there are times that humour won’t cut it, then a joke does not support a broken heart, and the soul winces thinking of being around cheerful people.

But then, who doesn’t have a funny story to tell about their loved one? No really, seriously, who doesn’t?

I wonder what would happen if we all would start to talk more about those stories and have a good laugh until the tears of humour and sadness tumble down our cheeks?

I wonder. …and you?

Sending you healing with a smile,
Jacqueline

Which word will transform your new year?

11/1/2017

Give yourself permission to take steps to fly. HealingForGrievingHearts.com

Happy New Year!
May it be a blessed one filled with good health, colourful days, and healing.

I hope you had a good start into the new year and that the holiday season treated you gently. It isn't always easy to get through those days of celebration when we don't feel like it.

When talking to people about their wishes for the new year they often mentioned that they chose a word for the new year.

I do that on a regular basis too. It helps me to take new steps and supports my wish for the new beginning. Plus the word can change during the year. 💜

Last year’s word was self-care. I managed quite well until the fall. Then work got busy and I forgot to keep myself accountable on my self-care promise. The result was a pinched nerve in my back mid December. Ouch! Still recuperating but I am much better.

This year’s word is Create.

I want to create:

helpful content for you
moments to relax and enjoy life
an online course that will help initiate healing
time to read, see friends more often, and go for long walks
meditations, paintings, and creative walks

If you would chose a word for 2017, what would it be? What will support you on your healing path?

Please share your word. 💜

Take good care,
Jacqueline

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When words are missing. How to support each other through grief.

Lifting layers of grief through art therapy?

Are there any stages of grief?

Does humour help you when you are grieving?

Which word will transform your new year?

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