Shelby Forsythia's Blog, page 4

The 8 Most Popular Episodes of the Coming Back Grief Podcast

When I launched Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss in May 2017, I had no idea just how popular these interviews would be with grievers.

I was a first-time podcaster, fresh out of a broken engagement and just three years out from my mother’s unexpected death from cancer. In the loneliness and lost-ness of my grief, I’d found solace in others’ podcasts, and I felt called to create yet another corner of the world where conversations on grief were not just happening-but welcome.

Over three ...

11 Black Women + Femmes Shaping the Grief Space

Therapists, Coaches, & Authors to FollowDeath Doula Alua Arthur | Image copyright: TED Talks, 2023

Grief is universal-but the way we talk about it, support each other through it, and make space for it in our lives is deeply shaped by culture, identity, and lived experience. And yet, the most widely known grief books, therapists, and social media accounts share a predominantly white perspective.

Black women and femmes have long been at the forefront of grief work, not only as therapists and authors...

What’s Your Grief Support Style?

Grievers tend to fall into one of four grief support styles. Take this free quiz to find out yours.Photo by Daniel Thomas on Unsplash

You’ve heard it before: Grief is not one-size-fits-all—and neither is grief support!

What works for one person might feel overwhelming, rushed, or even boring for another. Some people thrive in group settings, while others prefer self-guided support. Some want deep, introspective exploration, while others need clear, actionable steps to move forward.

So, how do you k...

Grief Is Not “Love With No Place to Go.”

Here’s what it really is.Photo by Earl Wilcox on Unsplash

“Grief is just love with no place to go.”

It’s a quote that floats around on aesthetic posts on Instagram and in the pages of grief journals and workbooks. It’s often shared in moments of deep heartache. At first glance, it’s a comforting thought-grief as a testament to love, proof that our bonds with our loved ones endure even after death.

But is grief really just love with no place to go?

For some, this phrase resonates deeply. It helps the...

11 Healing Quotes About Grief to Soothe Your Heart and Spirit

These comforting excerpts from Your Grief, Your Way will help you move through life after lossPhoto by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash

Grief can make you feel as though you’re carrying the weight of the world.

Yet, in the midst of heartache, it’s often helpful to look to the words of those who have gone before -words that speak directly to our pain, offer us solace, and remind us that we are not alone in this journey.

In this blog, I’ve gathered 11 powerful quotes about grief and healing from my second book...

Life After Loss Academy Reviews: How 5 Grievers Found Peace, Purpose, and Hope

From honoring loved ones to rediscovering joy, their experiences show what’s possible inside the online course.Photo by AllGo - An App For Plus Size People on Unsplash

Thinking about joining my online course + community, Life After Loss Academy ?

You probably know that it’s a supportive, transformative program for grievers facing all kinds of losses, but it’s normal to wonder: Does this program really work? Will it help me through my unique experience of grief?

The truth is, grief looks different fo...

Beyond The 5 Stages: How To Rebuild Life After Loss With The GRIEF Method

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

For decades the 5 Stages of Grief, identified and introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in 1969, have been widely recognized as the framework for understanding grief. And while the 5 Stages have been helpful in many ways, they’ve also been misunderstood and misapplied over time.

In her final book, published after her death, Elisabeth wrote:

“[The 5 Stages] were never meant to help tuck messy emotions into neat packages… They are tools to help us frame and identify wh...

Grief Isn’t Something You Get Over

How to Reframe Healing in a New Way

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What Grievers REALLY Want

I asked 100+ grievers about online grief support. Here’s what They told me.

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What My Mom’s Death Taught Me: 11 Life Lessons

Losing your mom changes you forever. On the 11th anniversary of her death, I’m sharing 11 life lessons my mom taught me about grief, love…

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