About a month ago, I shared how I’d been simmering in ambiguous loss for weeks. Experiencing it, yes, but also reading and writing about it as I prepared for an upcoming speaking event.
Well that speaking event came and went, and I was grateful for yet another opportunity to build some strength in my try-not-to-freak-out-too-much-about-public-speaking muscle. I’m happy to report that the freaking out was minimal :-)
The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and nothing shines a spotlight on my mental health quite like wrestling with ambiguous loss does.
Loss, especially the uncertain and unresolved kind, makes us uncomfortable. We don’t like thinking or talking about it, we pretend it doesn’t exist, and rush our way past it so we can just get to the other side and be “okay” - whatever that means.
Loss touches every one of us in incredibly unique ways. When that loss defies resolution, it can be the most difficult loss for us to process.
“I didn’t know what I was feeling had a name.”
“It’s nice to know I’m not alone.”
That speaking event provided a safe place for those in attendance to feel seen and heard. They no longer felt alone. I’m hoping to create a similar space here as I take my spoken words from that talk and over the next month or so weave them into something new for this space.
Join us as we explore what ambiguous loss is, using loss as our outline and guide:
Loneliness and Longing
Our Loss Matters: Learning to Lament
Sitting With Both/And
Sunshine in the Shadows
The Book of Job and Psalms, along with a side of J.R.R. Tolkien will also join us as companions on our journey to find some truths about loss and healing.
Until next time,
Becky
a few more words…
The month of May also happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month. Thinking about self-esteem makes me think about Fred Rogers.
“I hope you’re able to grow to respect whoever you are inside.” Fred Rogers
Kindness was Fred Rogers’ superpower. While kindness to others is important, we often forget that being kind to ourselves should be a thing too.
Like so many of us, teenagers are constantly bombarded with impossible societal standards by the media. Parents can often unknowingly add to the overwhelm by piling on their own set of impossible standards their teen must meet. That’s one of the reasons why kindness is such a big deal.
Whether you’ve got teens at home or not, I hope you’re able to take a few moments and read the full post here.
My debut book - Glimpses of Love: The Most Excellent Way of Imperfection - is available now on Amazon.
A couple of other ways you can support me are found here and here.
You can find me on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Find past glimpses of love posts by visiting beckygonzalez.substack.com