Love is not dead Just my husband! Widow Your Way with Rebecca Johnson

It’s ironic that as I’m trying to tell my story of how I learned to widow my own way and I am finding that I am experiencing a lot of the same moments now, almost 5 years later. Like, something is going to continue to happen over and over until I have actually learned my lesson.  

In today's episode I talk about being alone versus being lonely. This is something I have really been struggling with since Tom died but if I’m honest it’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life. I have always felt alone! Like no one was really there for me… specifically for me. 

Everyone talks about how empowering it is to be alone and do things alone. And it is. There is definitely something to overcome in that. I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job so far being alone. But you don’t have to turn into a recluse and be 100% alone all the time to be on that journey! I also don’t think learning to be alone is the cure all for loneliness. At least not for me. 

As always, Widow Your Way!

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Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

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• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
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This episode was recorded on a whim right after my dog Vegas went missing! 

I have 2 dogs but these are not my pets by choice. Vegas an Old English Bulldog and Caroline a Pit Bull. Tom and I agreed that we would not have any more pets so we can have more freedom, but he broke that promise. He disguised Vegas as a birthday gift for me, but I called bullshit! As much as I tried there was no way I could resist his cuteness and puppy kisses. Everyone loved him and he soon became very spoiled. 

Then came Caroline, a broken discount puppy from my brother to Tom. Against every fiber in my being, I took this puppy home and somehow, I became her person. 
 
 Of course, I was the one stuck with the responsibility of taking care of these dogs before and after Tom died. I didn't want any more pets. It was like having children all over again and I didn't want the responsibility and commitment to took to be a pet owner. 

With the thought of losing Vegas came a lot of guilt. Guilt because these were Tom’s dogs and ever since he died, I felt like I was stuck with them. As much as I loved them, I also resented them but after this night I am grateful for the gifts that were given to me. These dogs have sat at my side while I have cried and given me comfort. They have slept by my bedside when I’ve been sick. They have been someone to talk to on my loneliest days. They show me unconditional love I am always greeted with a wagging tail. What felt like more like an obligation has now been replaced with gratitude. 

Tell me something you have been left the responsibility of caring for after your loved one passed away? Do you feel resentment like it’s a burden or do you feel grateful that you have it?
 
As always, Widow Your Way!

 
 

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!

When we lose someone that has been a major part of our lives, we may struggle with who we are without them. How can we let our identity become so wrapped up in someone or something that we forget who we actually are. We are more than just a spouse, a sibling, a child, parent, or a friend. How do we redefine who we are and rediscover this new version of ourselves? 

I have discovered that my identity crisis didn't come from becoming a widow. It was the death of my husband that has forced me to discover who I am. I always thought I was easy going, friendly, and thoughtful. I never realized how complaisant I was and never making any decisions for myself. It was always to appease my husband because keeping him happy seemed to be more important than my own happiness. I am discovering a more confident and independent version of me. I still struggle with this new version of myself, and the path of self-love is not easy, but the good thing is that love is not dead, just my husband. 

As always, Widow Your Way!

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!

This episode may be a little controversial depending on where you are in your grief.  Today I want to talk about support groups and the importance of finding one that is right for you. Being a widow means something different to us all. Our wants, needs, and expectations do not always align and are not the same as others. 

I’m a completely different widow today than I was after my husband Tom died. I did not like the bitter and angry person was becoming back then. I now have a much more positive outlook and passion for life! This is all part of learning to widow your own way and deciding what type of person you want to be. We can be angry and live in the past or we can forgive and move forward. Let's move forward! 

As always, Widow Your Way!

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!

Grieving through the holidays is a tough one! Whether it is the first Christmas or the 10th, the loss of our loved one stays with us. This time of the year has a different meaning for all of us. I was really trying to think of something inspirational and hoping I could give you something meaningful, but the thing is I don’t celebrate Christmas like everyone else.  So this Christmas I just want you to remember! Cherish the memories of the one you have loss and relive them with your family and friends. I think this is important because I feel like I’m forgetting sometimes. Keep up your family traditions or make some new ones. 

I think I will be making a new one this year, at least until I have grandchildren. No gifts! The things I want money cannot buy. The things I want to give are not for sale. Gratitude and Love is now what Christmas means to me. I want to enjoy this time of year the way I used too and I can now because I realize the spirit of Christmas is not dead, just my husband. 

I want to hear your favorite Christmas memory of your loved one! Please visit my Facebook page or send me a private message ♥

As always, Widow Your Way!

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!

So you’re a widow… Now What?

If only there was a step by step guide! I don’t know about you but I need rules or instructions. There are little things that keep your mind occupied for a while, but then realization kicks in and you find yourself alone trying to figure out what to do next. Be prepared! It's going to suck but one thing death and cancer has taught me is that we all have limited time. If you are constantly worried about what is next, you are miss everything! 

As always, Widow Your Way!

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!

They say the first year of being widow is the hardest and in this episode you learn all about the good, bad and the ugly of mine. I learned was there is no right or wrong way to be a widow. There are no rules or expectations! Only the ones we put on ourselves.
I definitely don’t have all the answers, but I can share my experiences in hopes that you can relate. Maybe you could even learn from my mistakes,  if there are truly any mistakes in widowing. We are all figuring it as we go, just widowing our own way!

As always, Widow Your Way!

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!

We are all told there is no right or wrong way to grief, but do we really give ourselves permission to do that? If you are still living up to the widow stereotypes this podcast is for you! Love is not dead… Just my husband is a podcast dedicated to widows and widowers who are looking for support and encouragement while moving forward in their grief. It’s time to actually widow your way!

Support the show

You can now sign up for a small monthly subscription to support the show. Click the link above 👆

I would love to here from you! Send me a message.

Instagram: @loveisnotdead_justmyhusband
Facebook: Love is not dead, Just my husband
Website: www.widowyourway.com

You can also support the show in other ways:

• Click the subscribe button to continue this journey with me
• Leave a review to help others find me

Coffee is my love language ❤️
If you like this episode, please consider Buying Me A Coffee!