Advent Calendar 2023 – Joy Is My Therapy

Having very recently lost my husband, I live with my grief everyday, but I take much comfort in the fact that I was blessed to have 40 years with a man who made me laugh everyday, who inspired me, and supported me through all those years.

We talked about him leaving before me, and clearly, those conversations prepared me for the time when it would happen.

I am thankful, that I am keeping my commitment with putting out my annual Advent Blog this year, despite Pierre’s recent passing. Writing is my therapy, and it is keeping my mind occupied, which is another benefit. Keeping busy is providing a temporary distraction from the intense emotions I sometimes experience and it’s allowing me to focus on something other than the loss.

Grief is the price we pay for love.”

– Queen Elizabeth

I haven’t written too much about him yet, but it will come. Writing his eulogy has also been therapeutic, and once it’s delivered, I may release some excerpts in the blog, if only to pay tribute to this wonderful man.

Human connection is vital for emotional support, and this blog affords me the opportunity to connect with you and receiving your feedback and comments is a way for me to have that social interaction, without having to fuss,

I feel productive. At the very least, I know that at the end of the day, I have completed something in my day. As a type A personality, completing tasks or achieving goals, even small ones, is very important to me.

Years of living have taught me that engaging in activities that bring joy can have therapeutic benefits like reducing stress, enhancing your mood, and promoting overall well-being, and writing brings me joy.

Writing has always been an outlet for me to process emotions. It allows me to explore and understand my feelings, which at this time of upheaval, is much needed. When I am not writing the blog, I turn to journaling, almost daily to help me clarify my thoughts and feelings. It’s helped me gain a deeper understanding on many things and has contributed to my personal growth.

“All the noise in my brain. I clamp it to the page so it will be still.”

— Barbara Kingsolver

Writing about Joy, is like writing about gratitude. When I focus on those themes, it has a positive impact on my mood, keeping me focused on the moment and increasing my emotional resilience. It doesn’t hurt either that endorphins are probably released everyday, when I engage in something that’s making me happy.

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”

― Rumi

I know that everyone grieves differently, and what works for me may not work for another. Balancing busyness with moments of reflection and self-care is crucial for me.

They say that grieving individuals should allow themselves the time and space they need to process their emotions, seeking support when necessary. This is my space, and how I process, and knowing you are reading is supporting me more than you can know.