I asked Melissa Pierce in our interview "What's the biggest change you've seen in yourself since becoming a widow?" She said to me, " Trusting myself. Relying on myself again to make decisions on my own."

I think this is something we can all relate to!

Having to take on the burden and responsibility of a household and all of the people in it is not an easy task!

So, what can we do?

How can we learn to rely on ourselves again?

In this episode we go over a few different ways on how we can have more confidence in ourselves and our decision-making capabilities. 

The key thing to remember is this:

Action Creates Clarity

Clarity Gives You Confidence

Confidence Creates Momentum

And then what?

And then you're unstoppable!

JOIN US ON FB: Widow 180 Community with Jen Zwinck

JOIN US ON IG: @widow_180

Find all the latest blog posts: www.widow180.com

Please leave a rating and review for the podcast! 

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 [email protected]

Melissa Pierce lost her husband Dave suddenly and unexpectedly in 2011. She and her 2 boys found themselves navigating through the tough journey through grief together. 

 

Melissa talks to us today about her struggles with decision-making as a solo-parent and how she had to learn to trust her instincts and rely on herself to raise her family. 

 

In 2017 Melissa wrote a book called Filled With Gold about her adoption and then subsequent widow journey.

 

Feeling unfulfilled in her corporate job, Melissa decided to start a new business venture in 2019. Her Filled With Gold Subscription boxes are available now!  

Melissa talks to us about the importance of self-care when grieving and how self-care is not indulgent, it's necessary.

 

You can find Melissa at www.filledwithgold.org.

Or on FB and IG at filled with gold

And please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a kind review!

 

You can find the latest blog posts at www.widow180.com

 

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 [email protected]

In this BONUS episode we are talking about the 'widow rules' we often hear (and self-impose). 

What are the "widow rules"?

What happens if we break them?

There are so many Do's and Don'ts we are SUPPOSED to follow. 

Here's a list of the rules and what we can REALLY rely on to get us through the toughest season of our lives.

Join us for more discussion on FB at Widow 180 Community with Jen Zwinck

or on IG: @widow_180

 

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 [email protected]

Jill Johnson-Young has had the experience of losing not one, but two spouses in her lifetime, both to long term illnesses. Through this, she has learned what it means to love, grieve, reorganize her life, and once again find joy, sunshine, and smiles.

Jill specializes in grief and loss, end of life and dementia, and teaches therapists grief-related skills. After more than a decade with hospice she writes grief books for adults and children.

Her goal is to change the way all of us prepare for a death, say goodbye, and move into a recreated life!

She co-hosts a weekly Facebook chat and a monthly dementia group. 

Her latest book, The Rebellious Widow, is available now!

You can reach Jill at www.jilljohnsonyoung.com

And Join us on FB at Widow 180 Community or on Instagram @widow_180

 

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 [email protected]

What did you accept help with after your spouse passed away? What help did you refuse? What do you wish people had done for you, if only you had asked them to?

This bonus episode was inspired by several of my podcast interviews where we talk about the help we get after our spouses pass away. 

In the immediate aftermath, we are so confused and overwhelmed and in shock, we can't think straight enough to know what we need!

People want to help because it helps them grieve the loss, too!

Let them help!

Can't think of what you need?

Here's a list and some suggestions of what to ask for!

Resources:

Episode 12

Episode 39

Go to www.widow180.com/resources/ask to get the full list!

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 [email protected]

Terriann Muller lost her husband Mark after a 7 month battle with esophageal cancer. She had just lost her mom to lung cancer the prior year.

This compounded grief caused her to experience both physical and mental exhaustion.

Terriann sought help from a health coach, a life coach, and a naturopathic physician.

 

Then in 2017, after a powerful 10 day mission trip to India, Terriann decided to make a change in her life. She wanted to use her experience for something good.

She took several coaching programs and started Renegade Widow Coaching in 2019 and hasn't looked back.

 

She is dedicated to using the lessons she's learned to help other widows and empower them to lead fulfilling and fun lives!

 

You can sign up to be a part of her 8 week Dating Widow Program at www.thedatingwidow.com

 You can also find Terriann at www.terriannmuller.com

or on IG @renegadewidowcoach

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: Widow180 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 [email protected]

Jocelyne Baker-Johnson lost her husband Phil on Friday July 13, 2007 when a tree fell on his truck while driving to a campsite. Thrown into widowhood with 4 young children, Jocelyne found she had to pick up the broken pieces of their life. 

She found herself at a charity fundraiser event 4 months after Phil died and was faced with a pivotal moment in her new life.

She decided to go to Uganda to volunteer for an organization called Bead For Life, that raises money to help Ugandan widows who are trying to start businesses. 

In 2010, she and her 4 children moved to Uganda for 1 year to live and volunteer for Bead For Life.

 

Jocelyn wrote a paper entitled Grief Inspired Journeys: Travel as a Way of Coping With Loss. In 2014, she received her Master's Degree. 

Jocelyne is currently writing a memoir about her experience and adventures in Africa.

To learn more about Bead For Life go to www.beadforlife.org.

Buying jewelry from Bead For Life empowers these women to change their lives!

 

Join us on Facebook at Widow 180 Community!

IG: @widow_180 

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 [email protected]

Viki Brown lost her husband Dustin at the young age of 34 in a tragic single car accident. Their children were 6, 5, and not even 1 year old at the time. 

Viki turned to a grief support center, Ryan's place, to help both her and her children grieve the loss of Dustin. Shortly after attending, she felt a strong calling to open a children's grief center in her own town. 

She mentioned the idea to friend and co-founder, Ashley, and from there doors started opening up for the center to come to fruition. She was told to get a non-profit up and running would take 3-5 years.  From the initial time she mentioned the idea until the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility was exactly one year! 

Dustin's Place - Center for Grieving Children and their Families was born!

Viki shares her story of loss, understanding children's grief, starting a non-profit, putting faith in God, finding love again, and answering a calling!

It's an incredible story!

You can find Viki at www.dustinsplace.org

On Facebook at Dustin's Place

On IG @dustinsplaceinc

Follow us on Facebook at Widow 180 Community!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!

 

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 [email protected]

Alex Sinclair lost her husband Lee to lung cancer in July 2018. Alex leaned on her beloved dog and best friend Phoebe for support to get her through her loss.

When Phoebe fell ill one afternoon, Alex took her to the vet and was shocked when her debit card was declined to pay for the visit.

A man Alex had met online had stolen almost $60,000 out of her bank account through hacking into her accounts. This man, William, who she had met on the dating app Zoosk had gotten access to her accounts through her email. 

Alex shares the details of the ordeal she is going through, the loss of her lifesavings, the roadblocks she is facing with getting help from local police, and the ultimate loss of her beloved dog, Phoebe. 

If there is anyone listening to this podcast episode that can help Alex in any way, PLEASE contact me at [email protected]

Alex also shares with us some red flags to look for when it comes to online scammers!

You can read those in this week's blog post at 

www.widow180.com/resources/scammer

Join us for more discussion on Widow 180 Community with Jen Zwinck on Facebook! 

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 [email protected]

Jenny Lisk's entire world shut down and turned upside down with her husband, Dennis's sudden diagnosis of glioblastoma.  Within a few short months, Jenny became full time caregiver for Dennis, who lost his battle with brain cancer in January 2016. 

Jenny documented the year from diagnosis until Dennis's death through Caring Bridge, an online blog/journal for families going through illness. 

Jenny realized she needed extra help and support when it came to her 2 young children and their grief. 

She started to compile a list of resources and felt a calling to share this information with other widows.

She started her podcast, The Widowed Parent Podcast, where each week she interviews top grief experts, authors, psychologists,  and speakers who share their advice.

Jenny recently published her first book called Future Widow: Losing My Husband, Saving My Family, and Finding My Voice. 

You can reach Jenny at:

www.jennylisk.com

Other resources from this episode:

Tips for widowed parents:

https://jennylisk.com/top10

Dougy Center:

https://www.dougy.org/

National Alliance For Grieving Children:

https://childrengrieve.org/find-support

Eluna Resource Center:

https://elunanetwork.org/resources/

Join us on Facebook at Widow 180 Community

and on

IG: @widow_180

 

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 [email protected]