Today's episode is a widow pep talk for you. Sometimes we just need to hear that everything is going to be okay.

Today I am offering some words of encouragement to help you get through this day and this Father's Day weekend, a time when we can really feel the ache of the loss.

I see you and I hear you.

I see how hard you're trying. And the quiet courage it takes to just exist in a world that feels so "off" from normal.

This is a strength that most people don't understand.

But you are still here. You are continuing and making them proud.

You are doing so much better than you think!

If you need more encouragement, be sure to head over to YouTube where you will get a daily dose of inspiration in our 60 Days Of Summer Healing Quest!

And get the FREE Progress tracker too! Go to

https://www.youtube.com/@widow180 to watch and SUBSCRIBE.

Get the tracker at https://www.widow180.com/healingquest

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Welcome to the 60 Days of Summer Healing Quest for Widows and Widowers!

This is the first week of June which means that we are a few days into the 60 days of Summer Healing Quest For Widows and Widowers over on YouTube at Widow 180:The Channel.

I hope you’ve gone over to check out those videos.

If not, what in the world are you waiting for? It’s not too late to join.

For today’s episode I actually want to share with you the first 3 days of the Healing Quest. Remember, each day you have small but doable mission to complete.

Small steps, but big progress!

See you over on YouTube! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a day!

https://www.youtube.com/@widow180

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Do you think it's impossible to find love again after losing your spouse? You will want to hear Becca's story this week!

Becca’s journey through sudden widowhood, parenting three children (each with unique stories of their own), rebuilding her life, and eventually finding love again is both humbling and inspiring.

She speaks candidly about the reality of life after loss: solo parenting, making impossible decisions, and waking up in a new “normal” that never feels quite right. Despite feeling fiercely independent, Becca learned to let others in—both as support and, eventually, as friends and new family members.

Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

• Be Vulnerable Enough to Ask for (and Accept) Help: Even someone as independent as Becca struggled to accept support. But she found that when she clearly listed what she needed—whether it was tree removal or meals—her network showed up in amazing ways. Giving others clear, simple ways to help makes a huge difference for everyone!
• Community & Connection are Non-Negotiable: Attending a widow’s conference with Never Alone Widows seemed morbid and overwhelming to Becca at first—but it turned into a lifeline. She eventually created her own thriving widows group, reminding us all that “you’re not alone.” Just one conversation or gathering can spark healing and friendship, even for those who think group support isn’t their thing.
• New Beginnings Don’t Negate Previous Love: Through patience, honesty, and intentional blending, Becca opened herself to a new relationship and family while continuing to honor the legacy of her late husband and everything they built together. It’s a powerful reminder that it’s possible to both grieve and embrace joy, sometimes at the same time.

Becca’s experience is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the beauty that can emerge from saying “yes”—even when it feels impossible.

Becca's Instagram: @thewidowswalk

To join our 60 Days Of Summer Healing Quest For Widows and Widowers and GET YOUR FREE downloadable progress tracker, go to https://www.widow180.com/healingquest

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Can we truly recover after devastating loss? Guest Julie New says, "YES!"

Julie New, grief and sudden loss recovery coach, joins us today on the podcast.

This Episode’s Highlights:

🌷 Julie’s Story – From the pain of grief of losing both her daughters’ father and subsequently her husband, Julie shares how her own path fuels her compassion for others.

🌱 “Watering You” – Julie’s signature message: self-care isn’t just a buzzword, it’s vital. Her analogy of keeping your “watering can filled up” is both practical and moving—reminders we all need.

🌺 Planet Grief – We discuss the surreal feeling of being on “another planet” after loss and the importance of recognizing and honoring that space before slowly returning to yourself and the world.

🍰 Bereavement Café – Discover how Julie’s nurturing spirit led her to create a safe, welcoming space for those grieving—a place with cake, candles, real conversations, and community.

📚 Books for the Grieving Heart – Julie is the author of “Who Are The Flowers in Your Garden?” and “The Grief Garden Path,” both gentle guides for reflection and growth after loss. Her message? Great love creates great grief—but it also plants seeds for future happiness.

💕 Support for Special Days – With Father’s Day approaching, Julie shares heartfelt advice for widows and grieving parents. Be gentle, anticipate triggers, create meaningful rituals, and above all, hold your children close.

A Few Golden Nuggets:

• “You are not alone. Even if you feel alone, the love for your person will never die.”
• “Keep watering you—emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. If you don’t, you’ll wilt. Keep topping up your watering can.”

Find Julie at www.julienew.co.uk

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Grief specialist Ashley Olivia Nelson joins us on Widow 180: The Podcast. Ashley shared her deeply personal journey as a two-time widow before 35, and her transition into helping others navigate grief.

There were so many powerful insights, but here are the top 3 takeaways:

🔹 Your identity is ever-evolving.
Ashley reminds us that after a significant loss, our sense of self changes—not just once, but many times. Grief challenges us to get intimate with who we are now, and that evolution is both necessary and empowering.

🔹 Feeling "stuck" often means you don’t feel safe, not that you’re failing.
Ashley reframes the sensation of being stuck in grief as a protective response. It’s not a lack of progress—it's your body and mind searching for safety after the world shifts beneath your feet. Finding small ways to regain a sense of security is key.

🔹 Grieving your old life and desires is valid.
You don’t have to “stop wanting what you had.” Ashley encourages us to honor those attachments, validate our yearning, and recognize that healing doesn’t mean erasing your grief, but rather learning to carry it with more ease.

Whether you’re navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, Ashley’s wisdom is a must-hear.

Find Ashely at https://www.learningaboutgrief.com

Join us for the upcoming interactive video series, 60 Days of Summer Healing Quest For Widows and Widowers starting June 1.

Get your FREE progress tracker and all information at https://www.widow180.com/healingquest

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

Are you stuck in a FRUMP-WIDOW funk?

Try this confidence life hack to break out of a rut and regain some of that confidence you may have lost since becoming a widow.

You will get an instant boost in your spirit, you will perk up, you will stand taller and prouder, you will carry yourself in a different, better way!

Listen to the episode to find out how!

And if you're looking for more tips and help to boost your confidence level after loss, be sure to check out the latest Widow 180 resource in the Widow 180 Workbook series, The Boost Your Confidence After Loss Workbook!

It's available now for immediate download...get your copy and start your transformation today! Go to https://www.widow180.com/confidence

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

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Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

What if you wanted to make up your own rules for grieving and do what feels right for you? That's EXACTLY what Diane Easley decided to do.

This is an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation with Diane Easley, who graciously shared her journey through widowhood after suddenly losing her husband, Walter, in 2017. I know you will enjoy it and all of the wisdom she shares!

What “Doing Grief Your Own Way” Really Looks Like

Diane’s story starts with the unexpected loss of her husband while he was away on a work trip in Florida—a devastating call that changed everything in an instant. What followed wasn’t a prescribed script of grief, but a deeply mindful, authentic approach rooted in self-awareness and honoring what she needed, not what tradition or others expected.

Diane’s Approach to Grieving:

• Intentionality Over Expectations: Diane realized early on that there isn’t a “right way” to mourn. Wearing black, lighting a candle at the one-year mark, and “moving on” wasn't the real answer!
• Documenting the Realness: She began sharing daily reflections on Instagram—sometimes about a broken watering can that brought her to her knees in grief, other days about the surprising moments of joy she allowed herself to feel.
  Setting Boundaries: Diane put a sign on her front door, politely asking visitors not to knock or ring the doorbell, but to quietly come in if the door was open. “It makes people be thoughtful when they show up,” she added—it was what she needed to feel safe and respected during her most vulnerable days.

Be sure to check out the latest workbook in the Widow 180 Workbook series, The Boost Your Confidence Level After Loss Workbook available for immediate download now!

If you are tired of feeling scared and letting fear run your life, this workbook is for you!

Get it at https://widow180.kit.com/products/confidence

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

What exactly is a "grief hangover"? It is real. And no amount of Advil can help this particular type of hangover.

With this Easter holiday just passing, I wanted to address the "grief hangover" phenomenon that happens when we crash after those big milestone days or holidays. We spend so much energy to get through the actual day. We feel even more exhausted on the days following.

This episode serves as a reminder to do what you need to recover. Give yourself permission to rest and recover and more importantly, go easy on yourself during this time! This is hard!

In this episode, I mentioned the Overcoming Loneliness Workbook, which is available at

https://widow180.kit.com/products/loneliness

Join our Facebook Community at Widow 180 The Community.

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at jen@widow180.com