Hi Reader,

We're all affected by grief. It sneaks up on us in unexpected moments — and while it can often feel never-ending, or inexplicable, there are those here in this world who know its exact ebbs and flows, and who have made it their mission to support others through the grieving process.

Lou Hynes is one of those people.

Lou became a grief guide the way most people never would choose to — by losing her husband, suddenly, and having to find her own way through. What she discovered in that darkness was how ill-equipped we all are to sit with grief, our own or anyone else's — how little we know about what to say, what's appropriate, or how we're even allowed to feel our feelings. So she made it her mission to change that: to demystify the grieving process, and gently support people through that unspeakable season of life.

But before we dive in, I want to share something with you.

Today is the five-year anniversary of the passing of my beloved Chaco. It came as such a shock when it happened, and I still can't quite believe five years have passed — but they have. Which is part of why this episode feels so poignant to release today.

As I sat on the tube yesterday, coming home from a long day out with a friend, I came across a video posted by Sara Bareilles. She was performing a beautiful song at a memorial for a well-known poet who passed a year ago. As I watched the poet's partner read out some of her final words to the tune of Sara's song, I sat there remembering just how close we always are to that threshold of life and death — and how it touches every one of our lives. I was caught in that moment by tears that began to flow unexpectedly, as I thought about my beautiful cat, who I miss so dearly.

Now, I won't try to equate the grief I feel from that loss to the grief another might feel from losing a loved one, whoever they may be. But that's the whole point, isn't it? Grief moves through us in so many different and mysterious ways that there really is no comparing what you feel to what I feel. Every person we meet who is grieving is exactly that: a different person, grieving.

This episode touches on the depth of what grief actually feels like — and what you can do to support yourself, or those you love, through their own process. Wherever you find yourself on the journey — whether you're actively missing someone or something right now, or you moved through this initiation in another season of life — I think this conversation will touch something raw and real in you.

🎙️ Listen here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Ic7gvb24KOLTy3J1uSkcz?si=38b91895f394407e​

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walking-ourselves-through-grief-with-lou-hynes-068/id1690957472?i=1000779062576​

Show notes & full episode: https://www.dontsteponthebluebells.com/episodes/068-think-through-grief​

Take gentle care of yourself as you listen. And if this reaches you in a season of grief of your own — know that whatever you're feeling is okay.

With love,

Amanda

P.S. If you're going through your own season of grief, or know someone who is, you can reach out to Lou directly for support — and if she's not the right fit, she'll gently point you toward someone who is. You can find her on Instagram @griefguidelou​