A mother’s month of tiny rituals, honest reflection, and everyday courage.
Why I’m Doing This
Grief has a way of bending time. Some days I’m a powerhouse, flying through emails and client sessions with nothing fogging my brain.
On other days, my only goal is to simply be vertical so I can force myself to take a few steps.
Throw in the brain fog, memory loss, and occasional panic attacks – you get the picture.
Having said that:
As I approach the anniversary of my daughter’s passing this November, I’m honoring my Alexandra by finally speaking about this new reality.
I am doing so by sharing one intentional moment each day that helps me choose light—practices that steady me: still mornings, journaling what hurts and what helps, moving my body, leaning on my husband, and traveling (sometimes alone) to remember I’m still here.
If you’re rebuilding too, pull up a chair. Grief strips us of who we once were and challenges the mind to accept who we are now.
But we can make November gentle, on purpose.
The Five Anchors I Reach For (Daily)
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Morning Stillness — a full hour before the phone, just breath and light.
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Writing to Release — no perfect sentences, just truth on paper. Journaling has always been my solace.
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Moving My Body — a walk with the pups, stretching, or a slow stroll to visit the goats.
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Leaning on My Husband — letting one safe person carry a corner of the load.
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Traveling Alone (Sometimes) — a coffee shop, a bookstore, a new trail; proof that joy can still find me.
How the 30 Days Look for Me, and Hopefully, for You.
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One daily vlog on YouTube
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A tiny practice you can borrow.
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One journal prompt to keep your heart moving.
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One small joy I (you) noticed that day.
My Gentle Routine (On Repeat) No Exuses
I am hoping you can take even one of my daily routines, implement it into your day, and find a gentleness to move you forward.
1. I open the day softly.
Always make the bed. Crack the blinds. One deep breath, in through the nose, hold, out through the mouth.
2. Naming the weather inside my body.
“How’s my heart today?” Don’t fix it—just name it. (Foggy? Frayed? Feeling braver than yesterday?)
3. Write and release (3 lines).
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What hurts.
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What helps.
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One light to look for today.
4. Move a little.
Walk with Keeva. Stretch. The win is movement, not mileage.
5. A tiny joy.
Sun on my face. Hot macha in my hands. Fresh mountain air. My husband’s smile and massive hug when he walks in the door from long days at the firehouse.
Today’s Journal Prompt
What does “light” look like for me today—honestly?
Where does my body feel tight or tired? What would feel kind?
Try This:
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Sit in silence for 3 minutes (timer on). No phone. Just breathe and morning light.
One line to write: “Today, light might find me in ___.”
What I Use & Love (HELPS, Not Cures)
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Journal & pen that make me actually want to write.
- Sticking to My Boundaries that ensure peace.
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Cozy throw + supportive pillow for morning stillness.
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Walking shoes that feel like kindness.
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Electrolytes + water bottle so I don’t forget my body when I’m in my feelings.
If You’re Grieving Too (Read This Twice)
You’re not late.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You are on no one’s timeline.
Grief is love with nowhere to go; we’re just learning to pour it into living. If all you did today was breathe and read this far, I’m SO proud of you.
Watch MY Daily Vlog
I’m sharing a short vlog every day in November.
Subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss one—then watch when you’re ready. As I come upon two years of losing my beautiful daughter, I am the first to admit I have not been able to watch long videos.
My VLOG is for all of us.
I have days where I scream into my pillow still.
Nights where I cry myself to sleep.
Also, there are days when I allow myself to be alone with Keeva, wherever that feels right that day.
I have accepted this reality, and I don’t judge my “process” anymore. I don’t beat myself up for finding joy, and that took a very long time.
The goal of the VLOG is to create a community of gentle, loving, purposeful people to connect. A community where we are all safe, supported, and welcomed with open arms.
No judgment, no comparisons, simply gentle guidance to keep going.
This isn’t a challenge, it’s a gentle nudge(Because practical helps, too)
Q: What if I miss a day?
A: Then we start again. Grace is the plan.
Q: Do I need to journal?
A: You don’t need to do anything. Try the 3-line release—it’s lighter than it sounds.
Q: Will you share resources?
A: Yes. I’ll add a growing list at the end of this post all month (books, hotlines, podcasts, gentle movement videos).
Resources I Trust (Living List)
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Books that don’t rush you
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Gentle yoga / somatic basics
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Journaling prompts download (coming this week)
If Today Was Heavy
If today felt heavy, you still showed up. Comment one tiny bright spot (MINE: warm sun on my face, dozens of turkeys on the property!)
If this helped: subscribe on YouTube, save this post, and share it with someone who needs a softer November. Someone who could use a virtual hug, a safe pace for little joys.
