The Widow's Journal: Questions to Guide You through Grief and Life Planning after the Loss of a Partner

by Carrie P. Freeman

Losing a spouse or romantic life partner causes a special kind of heartbreak, loneliness, and disappointment. Your plans for your life have irrevocably changed.

Because everyone mourns differently, guided journal writing is a useful tool for navigating the phases of grief in a personalized, private way. "The Widow's Journal" is written in a frank yet hopeful style by lifelong journaler Carrie P. Freeman, PhD, a communication professor, who set out to write the kind of book she could have used when, just prior to her thirtieth birthday, she lost her own husband to cancer.

Unlike other bereavement books, "The Widow's Journal" doesn't tell you what to do, it isn't a memoir or collection of other people's stories, and it isn't limited to any particular spiritual outlook. Instead it provides over one hundred guiding questions (from the practical to the profound) that you can use to progress through the grieving process, culminating in a collection of your most useful insights for reflection.

Freeman's thoughtful questions prompt you to reflect on your feelings, but more importantly, provide a gentle path toward productively coping with intense grief while making plans to build a meaningful new life.

This journal works like a guided diary or workbook, with beautifully decorated pages on which to write and/or color. It is designed to be a useful, caring gift for those whose husband, wife, or life partner has died within the last year.

The author's book website is www.thewidowsjournal.com

186 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2015

About the author

Dr. Freeman is an Associate Professor of Communication at Georgia State University in Atlanta. She is a critical/cultural studies researcher who has published in over 15 books and scholarly journals on media ethics, communication strategies for social justice movements, and the media's coverage of nonhuman animal and environmental issues, in particular, animal agribusiness and veganism. Her first book is "Framing Farming: Communication Strategies for Animal Rights" (Rodopi/Brill, 2014). She co-edited the upcoming book "Critical Animal and Media Studies: Communication for Nonhuman Animal Advocacy" (Routledge, 2015).

Dr. Freeman also co-authors the website www.animalsandmedia.org that provides styleguide
recommendations for all types of media practitioners on responsible representation of animals and their issues.

In addition to previously working in PR and HR, she’s been active in the animal rights and vegetarian movement for two decades and has served as a volunteer director for local grassroots groups in three states. She currently serves as a co-host on a weekly Atlanta-based independent radio program on animal protection (Second Opinion Radio, Wednesdays 6pm) and a bi-weekly host of an environmental program (In Tune to Nature, Tuesdays 6:30pm), both on WRFG.org (Radio Free Georgia) 89.3FM.

Reviews

[Delia Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was very helpful to brings thoughts into my writing. I would recommend to other widows definitely a great way to process your grievance. Perhaps i would include more pages to write to keep all you write together. I did like to include pictures & stories behind them. In my opinion to keep memories alive.

I thought it was very helpful to brings thoughts into my writing. I would recommend to other widows definitely a great way to process your grievance. Perhaps i would include more pages to write to keep all you write together. I did like to include pictures & stories behind them. In my opinion to keep memories alive.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely activity journal for widowed people (but the book will likely appeal more to women.) It stays away from oppressive grief stories, e.g, 5 stages of grief, closure, etc. and asks a lot of open ended questions allowing the user to explore their own grief and make their own meaning from the loss of their life partner. There is plenty of space for journaling or drawing/collage and black/white doodles on every page that can be colored while contemplating the written prompt. I think this is a nice resource for a newly widowed person.

[Mary White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Which way to turn?

I rate this seven out of ten.
Good start up for widow s who are just reaching out for help going through or getting through grief.
Mswcreole