Movies on Grief

Some days, getting out of the house when it is wet and cold just does not seem like a good idea. Some days, you might not feel like talking to others, or just want to relax in front of the TV and watch a movie. Some days, you might feel like you need to have a good cry. Should you find yourself in any of these moments, here is a list of movies that highlight what the loss of a loved one feels like. I hope that in those moments, you feel comforted; you are not alone.

  • Up!
  • Still Alice
  • Sophie’s choice
  • Steel Magnolias
  • Terms of Endearment
  • PS I love you
  • The Notebook
  • The Bucket List
  • Ghost
  • Step Mom
  • The Kite Runner
  • The Descendants
  • The Lovely Bones
  • Patch Adams
  • Seven Pounds
  • My Sister’s Keeper
  • The Five People You Meet in Heaven
  • City of Angels
  • Tuesdays with Morrie
  • Lorenzo’s Oil
  • My Girl
  • Sister Cities
  • Little Piece of Heaven
  • Six Feet Under (TV series)
  • My Little Princess

This just a small, varied list of movies that cover different types of death and of loss that I have seen and have loved. I hope that you find one that suits you well and brings comfort and normalcy to what you are currently experiencing.

Should you have any movies that you enjoyed that focus on loss, please feel free to let me know for the next time a list is posted. I am always looking to add to the list to help clients along their journey. Please send any comments, questions or suggestions through my Contact Me page.

Vision Boards

Have you heard of a vision board? Have you utilized them? If you haven’t heard of a vision board before, let me introduce you to them. Vision boards are a visualization tool used to remind yourself of the goals you have set out for the year. Typically, they are created at the end of December/beginning of January, or at the beginning of a big change. They are used to set new goals, a new vision, or update the purpose of what it is that you want to achieve in the upcoming year. The vision board can be made from whatever it is that you want; it is an expression of yourself through cuts outs, print outs, drawings, or written words. The idea is to complete it, and hang it somewhere you will see every day, and let it stay there for the year. It is the hope that you will see it, even if you do not read it, daily. It is the hope that what you have put on your board will consciously, or subconsciously, remind you of the goals you have put out for yourself. Then, at the end of the year, when it is time to make a new one, you are able to look at it and reflect back to see what your year has been like. What did you achieve? What is still growing? What do you want to change? What do you want to stay the same? I find vision boards to be incredibly helpful and empowering. I have been completing them for the past 3 years, and have found them to be the most powerful reminder of what it is that I have accomplished in the past year, and a constant reminder of what it is that I want to achieve this coming year. If you would like to make a vision board, I encourage you to do it. If you are looking for guidance and support in this, to get you started, please feel free to visit my Contact Me page to schedule an appointment. I would be delighted to discuss and accompany you in your fist vision board development.

The Importance of Using the Terms ‘Dying’, ‘Death’ and ‘Dead’:

You may notice that throughout my website and blog posts, that I will repeatedly use the terms ‘death’, ‘dead’, and ‘dying’. This is not to remind you of the impact you may be currently feeling, but to help normalize the use of those words.  I believe that using words or phrases that are used frequently in our current society might ‘soften the blow’ for others, but I do not want to minimize what has happened in your life. Too many times in our society do we use words or phrases that lighten the impact of things that have impacted us greatly, in hopes of sparing others of our pain. Your pains, your loss, your fears do not need to be softened for me. I want to talk about the impact you are feeling, the grief and mourning you are experiencing, and at times, the unbearable pain that you feel.

Additionally, in our current society, we have taken these words out of our language to help ‘ease the pain’ to children and teens. However, as you can read in my post ‘Talking with Children and Teens about death and the loss of someone in their life’, it is very important to use the proper terms when talking about death and dying, as to not to confuse or create fear in our little ones who might not understand what ‘gone’ or ‘has passed away’ mean. If you are curious about my perspective, or would like help with the upcoming or past death, please connect with me through my contact me page to request an appointment, as I would very much appreciate the opportunity to support you or answer any questions, comments or concerns you may have.

Commemorations

Through my work, I have noticed that there becomes this sense of loss after the death ceremony (funeral, burial, celebration, etc.) has ended – as though there is nothing left to do and now each person must sit and experience their grief. Waiting, hoping, that they can get through the next year, and find a way to live without the person now that they have died. It is not about waiting for the year to pass, struggling to get through the painful memories and feelings. It is through turning towards your grief and expressing it to the world that will aid in the journey of life without your person. I hope that some, any of the ideas posted in this blog will help you and your loved ones to honour, acknowledge, and remember your person as you heal your heart and soul. Remember that you do not have to go this journey alone. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment.

Grief & Bereavement

The experience we have as human beings after the loss of someone in our lives can, at times, feel unbearable. This is true for both a physical death and a death of a relationship. The relief comes in knowing that those feelings will not last forever; we cannot cry forever, and our hearts will not be broken forever. It is my hope that something, anything in this blog will help alleviate your suffering for a moment; to give you a moment of support, clarity, and relief. Remember that you do not have to go this journey alone. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment.

Service Options

As our world becomes further integrated and mixed, so do our traditions and options. In the past we may have experienced one or two different types of services, but today – we have a multitude of options that may represent our person more appropriately. Having these conversations before the death of your person can help to alleviate the planning after the death while grieving. It is my hope that something, anything from this blog may help you and those around you plan a service. Remember that you do not have to go this journey alone. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment.

Dying

How do you say goodbye to those you love? How do you come to terms knowing that you will no longer be? How do you reconcile the ‘I wish I had’s…’ and the ‘I wish I could have changed…’? As you proceed through the end of your days, I want to thank you for the life that you have lived, and hope that something, anything from this blog may help you come to a place of peace before your passing. Remember that you do not have to go this journey alone. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment.

Anticipating a Loss

Knowing that someone in your life is going to die can be an emotionally draining time – your life sits in suspension, waiting. This can feel quite lonely and isolating but it doesn’t have to be. My hope is that something, anything from this blog may help you and support you during this strenuous time. Remember that you do not have to go this journey alone. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an appointment.