In this episode of the Grieving Daughters Club podcast, I meet with Heidi to talk about her complex journey through grief after the loss of her father, Mark.

Heidi shares details about her father's life, their relationship, and the complexities of navigating grief amidst difficult family dynamics and a global pandemic.

She discusses the challenges she faced during her father's illness, the emotional turmoil of planning his funeral, and the strained relationships with her siblings.

Throughout the conversation, Heidi emphasizes the importance of finding ways to connect with loved ones after they have passed and shares how she has honoured her father's memory through meaningful actions and reflections and has sought to learnt so much about her father since his death which helps her to continue to feel close to him.
It's a honest, relatable conversation that demonstrates we can continue learning about our parents long after they have gone.
As ever I am deeply grateful for Heidi’s honest reflections about navigating her fathers death and the impact it has had on her life and I know it will be so helpful for those listening.

If you've lost a parent and you're trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will help you to feel less alone.

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠⁠⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Key Takeaways:

• Heidi took care of her father during his illness.
• The relationship with her siblings was strained during her father's illness.
• Heidi arranged her father's funeral and honored his wishes.
• She felt a strong connection to her father even after his passing.
• Heidi found comfort in visiting places significant to her father's life.
• The loss of her father felt like losing her umbrella.
• Heidi's siblings projected their anger onto her after their father's death.
• She coped with grief through counseling and support from friends.
• Heidi carries her father's ashes to meaningful places.
• She encourages others to find ways to connect with their loved ones after loss.

Keywords

grief, loss, family dynamics, personal stories, coping mechanisms, healing, relationships, death, emotional support, remembrance, death of a father, covid

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this episode of the podcast, I meet with Louise to talk about one of the most disorientating overlaps grief can bring, becoming a first time mother while simultaneously losing your own.

Louise was nine months pregnant when her mum, fit, well, and full of life was given a terminal diagnosis. There was no time to adjust, no space to prepare. Just the shock of impending birth alongside impending loss, and the heartbreak of realising the person she expected to guide her through motherhood wouldn’t be there.

With warmth, sharp humour, and real honesty, Louise shares memories of her mum, the trauma of her death, and the emotional whiplash of early motherhood lived alongside fresh grief. We talk about identity shifts, the loneliness of those early months, the importance of being supported, and how humour can become a lifeline when everything feels too heavy.

It’s a poignant, deeply relatable conversation about love, loss, and what it means to mother without the person who mothered you, an episode I know many grieving daughters will relate too.

If you've lost a parent and you're trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will help you to feel less alone.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief often begins before the loss, especially with a terminal diagnosis.

• The clash of life events, such as childbirth and loss, can be overwhelming.

• Early grief can be complicated by the responsibilities of new motherhood.

• Support from friends can be invaluable during times of grief.

• Acknowledging the pain of loss is crucial for healing.

• Humour can serve as a coping mechanism in the face of tragedy.

• Losing a parent changes one's sense of identity and confidence.

• Grief is a deeply individual experience that can be hard to comprehend without experiencing it.

• The importance of rituals and memories in keeping a loved one's spirit alive.

• Acknowledgment of grief by others can be incredibly validating.

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If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grief, loss, parental loss, support, coping mechanisms, identity, motherhood, emotional journey, personal stories, mental health.

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this episode of the podcast, I meet with Holly, who speaks about her experience of losing both of her parents. Holly shares the impact of her father's death as a teenager in a pivotal moment in her life and the challenges of navigating her mother's early onset dementia whilst raising young children years later.

The conversation delves into the hugely emotional toll of caregiving a parent, the unpredictability of grief, and the importance of finding 'your people'. Holly reflects on the unique bond between a mother and a daughter and the profound struggle that comes with watching a parent deteriorate over years. The episode emphasises the personal nature of grief and the significance of finding meaning and connection in the midst of loss.

Holly shares her honest account of these two very different experiences and the impact they have left on her.

If you’ve lost a parent and are trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will help you feel less alone.

The facebook group mentioned in this episode as a recommendation is called 'Adult Children of Early Onset Dementia Parents'.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief is a deeply personal journey, unique to each individual.
• Support systems, like Facebook groups, can be invaluable during times of diagnosis and loss.
• Early onset dementia presents a unique set of challenges and grief.
• The loss of a parent can feel like losing a safety net.
• Grief can resurface unexpectedly, often triggered by small reminders.
• Maintaining connections with lost loved ones can provide comfort.
• Therapy can aid in processing complex emotions tied to grief.
• Physical spaces tied to memories can serve as grounding touchstones.
• Grief can sharpen one's focus as a parent, highlighting the importance of presence.
• Finding meaning and purpose in grief can aid in healing.

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grief, loss, mourning, family, legacy, emotional conflict, coping strategies, cultural practices, support, love

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this episode I met with Meera. She shares her heartfelt journey of losing her mother, just two weeks after her 70th birthday party.

Meera reflects on her mother's vibrant personality, the suddenness of her passing, and the complexities of navigating grief as the eldest daughter. The conversation delves into the emotional conflicts that arise during mourning, the impact of cultural expectations, and the importance of self-care.

Meera emphasizes the significance of love and support from family and friends, while also acknowledging the unique nature of each person's grief journey. She offers valuable insights and advice for others experiencing similar losses, highlighting the need to cherish every moment with loved ones and to carry on loved ones advice long after they have died.

It’s a deeply personal story about never being ready to lose a parent, and what it means to step into the space your mum once held when the matriarch of the family is suddenly gone.

If you’ve lost a parent and are trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will help you feel less alone.

Key Takeaways

• Mum was the nucleus of the family, full of energy.
• Her ability to forgive and help others was remarkable.
• The suddenness of her passing was a huge shock.
• Grief can feel incredibly lonely even in a crowd.
• Cultural practices can provide structure but also conflict.
• Time does not heal, it changes the shape of grief.
• It's important to set boundaries for self-protection.
• Cherish the moments and love in real time.
• What would Mum say? This question guides decisions.
• Grief is a unique experience that cannot be compared

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grief, loss, mourning, family, legacy, emotional conflict, coping strategies, cultural practices, support, love

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this episode I met with Rebecca, who opened up about the quiet, powerful lessons her dad left her with, lessons she didn’t fully realise were shaping her life until after he was gone.

Rebecca talks about watching her dad retire, finally giving himself permission to enjoy his days… and how that changed the way she now moves through the world. Not in a forced “live every day like it’s your last” way, but in the small, human ways that actually matter. Slowing down, treating herself with kindness. Finding joy in the ordinary instead of waiting for the “right” moment or the “right” age.

It’s an honest conversation about how grief doesn’t just break you, it rewires the way you think about time, joy, rest, and what you deserve.

As always, I’m deeply grateful to Rebecca for her openness and for sharing her story with us.

If you’ve lost a parent and are trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will make you feel less alone.

Key Takeaways:

• Enjoy every moment of each day.
• Why wait until 65 to celebrate life?
• Make every day feel like a Saturday.
• Treat yourself when you deserve it.
• Let loose and enjoy life more.
• Be kinder to yourself.
• Life is about daily joys.
• Retirement can inspire a new mindset.
• Embrace personal growth and happiness.
• Life is too short to wait for happiness.

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grief, loss, family, memories, support, conversations, love, dad, life lessons, enjoying moments, personal growth, self-care, mindset, happiness, family influence, daily joy, living fully, treating oneself

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this first episode of Series Two of the Grieving Daughters Club Podcast, I talk to Katie, who shares her honest and heartfelt story of losing her beloved dad, Kevin. Having previously faced the devastating loss of her brother, Katie reflects on how this previous life changing experience, impacted her and how she viewed death and dying. She shares how this knowledge helped her approach her dad’s illness and passing in a different way.

We talk about the power of open conversations around dying, the quiet comfort found in family bonds, and giving yourself grace during the difficult times. Katie hopes her story will inspire others to reframe their perception of death and see it as an opportunity for growth and expansion alongside the pain and grief.

It’s a conversation filled with both heartbreak and hope, a reminder that even in loss, we keep learning, loving, and finding new ways to grow alongside our grief.

As always, I’m deeply grateful to Katie for her openness and for sharing her story so generously.

If you’ve lost a parent and are trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will make you feel less alone.

We talk about:

• Grief is a personal journey that varies for everyone.
• Open conversations about death can provide comfort and clarity.
• Memories of loved ones keep their spirit alive.
• It's important to give yourself grace during grief.
• Rituals can help in processing loss and honouring loved ones.
• The impact of loss can strengthen family bonds.
• Navigating grief involves understanding its physiological effects.
• Death can be an opportunity for growth and expansion in amongst the pain and grief.
• Sharing stories about the deceased can be healing.
• Grief evolves over time but never fully disappears.
• Taking the memories forward
• Support from others is crucial during the grieving process.

The book and course Katie mentions in this podcast that she has found helpful during this process is:

Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Wellar

Liminal Time workshops - www.liminal-time.com

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grief, loss, family, memories, healing, support, death, coping, conversations, love, dad, practical resources, rituals, empowerment, physical response,

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this sixth and final episode of the first series of the Grieving Daughters Club Podcast, I sit down and talk to Soph, who shares the devastatingly short chapter between her mum’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis and her death just 26 days later.

Soph talk about the shock of a life flipped upside down overnight, the chaos and numbness of the diagnosis and the days that follow. Soph speaks honestly about, the small moments of normal that keep you going, and the strange, bittersweet comfort of carrying your mum’s love forward in everyday life.

It’s a deeply emotional conversation about finding scraps of light in the darkest days, holding on to the people who get it, and giving yourself permission to grieve in your own messy, human way.

If you’ve lost a parent and are trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will make you feel less alone.

We talk about:

• • Grief can feel isolating, but community support is vital.
  • The shock of sudden loss can lead to feelings of denial.
  • Physical symptoms of grief can manifest unexpectedly.
  • Maintaining small pockets of 'normal' during illness can provide comfort.
  • Grief changes a person; returning to 'normal' is not possible.
  • Talking about the deceased can help keep their memory alive.
  • It's important to allow oneself to feel sadness and despair.
  • Grief can evolve from shock to acceptance over time.
  • Finding comfort in small rituals can provide stability.
  • Parenting while grieving requires mindfulness and patience.

Soph's story is honest, and insightful and full of moments which I am sure any grieving daughter can relate to.

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grieving a mum, grief, loss, coping, family, emotional journey, support, grieving daughters, unexpected loss, navigating grief, personal stories, parenting, community, pancreatic cancer, early grief, legacy, coping strategies, grieving daughters

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠

In this fifth episode of the Grieving Daughters Club Podcast, I sit down and talk to Charmaine who lost her mum to ovarian cancer in her 20s.

Charmaine reflects on her mother’s vibrant spirit, the heartbreak of her illness, and the raw emotions that surfaced in those early days of grief and how it has an impact now 13 years later.

Charmaine also shares how repressed grief showed up in her life, and what it meant to finally give herself permission to feel it. From the small comforting rituals that carried her through, to the way her grief has shifted over time, Charmaine’s story is both tender and powerful.

Most of all, Charmaine speaks about the importance of honouring her mum’s legacy, and offers gentle, heartfelt advice to other grieving daughters who may be navigating similar emotions.

If you’ve lost a parent and are trying to figure out how to keep living without them, this conversation will make you feel less alone.

We talk about:

• • Grief is a personal journey that varies for everyone.
  • It's important to allow yourself to feel all emotions associated with grief.
  • Coping mechanisms can differ; some may avoid while others engage more.
  • Early grief can feel isolating, especially when living far from loved ones.
  • Unhelpful comments from others can hinder the grieving process.
  • Grief is a lifelong experience that changes over time.
  • Finding ways to remember and celebrate a loved one can be healing.
  • It's okay to cry and show emotion when discussing loss.
  • Carrying on a loved one's legacy can provide comfort.
  • Seeking support and counselling can aid in processing grief.

Charmaine's story is honest, and emotional which I am sure any grieving daughter can relate to.

If you need a bit more support after listening, you’ll find my grief audios for difficult moments here: ⁠https://grievingdaughters.etsy.com⁠

If you are a grieving daughter and would like the chance to share your story on this podcast please email me on:

⁠⁠⁠⁠elle@grievingdaughtersclub.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or come and find me over on instagram.

Keywords

grief, loss, mother, podcast, emotional healing, coping mechanisms, early grief, memories, legacy, support, ovarian cancer.

Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠grieving_daughters_club_⁠⁠