In this episode, Wendy is joined by Michelle Hoffman, a Stanford University social scientist and best-selling author. Today, she and Wendy discuss her journey from enjoying a fulfilling life with her husband to becoming a single parent when he sadly died.
Michelle shares several of the strategies she used to enable herself and her children to cope with grief, such as inviting emotions in, putting in place a strong support network and building new memories. Her book, "Life Worth Living," offers practical guidance for widows and single parents, but its lessons are applicable to anyone facing significant loss.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Instead of burying her emotions, Michelle invited them in and used them as guideposts.
- Sit down and list out what you need and who can help you with each item. This helps you to see that you are not alone.
- Create and maintain a support network of people for your children as well as for yourself. Michelle did this, in part, by ensuring her children engaged with other adults through activities.
- Michelle shares simple techniques that have enabled her to help her children process their emotions.
- Be honest with your children.
- Michelle shares how she kept her children´s father alive for them and created new memories.
- No matter how low you feel, someone can benefit from what you have to share with them.
BEST MOMENTS
“I would invite each emotion in.”
“I had accountability partners to help make sure I showed up.”
“There is no getting over love lost, there just isn't. However, we're still alive and we need to find our path.”
“If I were to describe my life and the love I've shared, it is different, and it is beautiful in a whole new way, even through grief.”
“They (Michelle’s children) created their own support team as well.”
EPISODE RESOURCES
Mad/Sad/Glad exercise - https://creativetherapies.net/the-solution-focused-sad-mad-glad-talk
ABOUT THE GUEST
Michelle Hoffmann, Visionary Relationship Catalyst and founder of The Art of Relationshipping, empowers individuals and organizations to build authentic connections. Drawing from her journey through widowhood, single parenthood, and 30+ years of expertise, her transformative insights inspire impactful relationships in love, life, and career. Life is better with good love in it.
Life Worth Living book - http://tiny.cc/rw57001
https://theartofrelationshipping.com
VALUABLE RESOURCES
www.wendycastelino.com
https://www.instagram.com/wendycastelino/
https://www.youtube.com/@wendycastelino798
https://twitter.com/WendyCastelino
ABOUT THE HOST
Wendy Castelino has been working as a psychotherapist for over thirty-five years. As an accredited CBT and EMDR practitioner, she is committed to upholding the rigorous standards required for these accreditations and helping thousands of people reach their full potential.
Wendy currently runs a private practice where her focus is on CBT. Therapy is constantly evolving into developing new techniques, so she studies hard to integrate them into her therapy, to provide a rich and effective experience.
Wendy is aware that working in one-to-one therapy limits the number of people she can see. She has, therefore, created a range of online resources. These resources are designed to be easy to follow and provide clear, step-by-step instructions. This can help the individual to master skills and gain confidence, therefore optimising the therapy sessions. They are also suitable to be used on their own.
Further details are available at: WendyCastelino.com.
