Happy Monday! I’m back with another book review. If you have been dealing with grief, you should keep reading. This applies whether it is the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, or any other loss. I highly recommend you continue for all the deets.

conscious grieving by claire bidwell smith

Conscious Grieving: A Transformative Approach to Healing from Loss; $10.88

Number of Pages: 240

Publication Date: March 12, 2024

Description: Conscious Grieving is a book for anyone seeking guidance and support after loss. Renowned grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith combines her deeply personal experience of loss. She uses her long career spent working with thousands of people to introduce a new approach to grief. This approach promotes hope and even transformation.

Claire reminds us that loss inevitably happens to all of us. However, how we choose to grieve is up to us. When we can consciously engage with our grief, rather than avoiding it, we can access profound pathways to healing.

Presented in a series of thoughtful brief vignettes, Conscious Grieving does not overwhelm the reader. It offers a new framework for each stage of grief: Entering, Engaging, Surrendering, and Transforming.

Entering-staying present and taking care of ourselves as we navigate the shock and upheaval of a new loss.

Engaging-navigating that first year after loss requires us to stay in tune with our needs. This is essential as more complicated feelings of depression, guilt, or anger surface.

Surrendering-facing the changes to our identity and who we are becoming in the face of loss.

Transforming-through ritual, honor, hope, and grace. We learn to carry our grief with intention. This allows us to continue to grow, heal, and thrive.

Grief asks a lot from us. But the ability to grieve is a birthright. We grieve throughout our lifetimes. We grieve the deaths of loved ones, moves, divorce, illness, and injustice. We also grieve time lost and changes in the world. Healing from these losses requires that we evaluate everything we considered meaningful. Healing means making our lives worth the pain we endure when we lose someone we love. Transforming through grief is an opportunity afforded to all.

My Thoughts: My twin sister gifted me this book last year. It has truly helped me on my grieving journey. I lost my dad 11 years ago this year. It is still the most painful experience I’ve gone through in my life. After his passing, I can honestly say that my life was in shambles. I struggled for a very long time. Reading this book has opened my eyes. It has given me another perspective on my grieving. It provided me with a lot of tools and tips to grieve in a healthy and positive way. This book is a gem and has been so helpful to me. If you are dealing with any kind of loss, I highly recommend this book. Please check it out.

What book are you currently reading? Let me know in the comments.

–Chantel Keona