220: How to rediscover yourself after grief + trauma – with Michele Neff Hernandez (PART TWO)

Earlier this week, we shared part one of this conversation, all about how to rediscover yourself after grief and trauma. And let me just say, this profound conversation has stuck with me ever since. So many things that Michele shared so far have come up in my dreams, in my conversations with others, and in my thoughts this week. I hope the same is true for you.

Now, if you haven’t heard part one, go back and listen to that one first. But if you’re ready to continue on, let’s pick back up here with my conversation with author Michele Neff Hernandez as she simplifies how to rediscover yourself after grief and trauma.

It’s time to simplify…

Here’s how.

My special guest today is Michele Neff Hernandez and she’s simplifying how to rediscover yourself after grief + trauma.

We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• When a life-altering loss or trauma has happened, so many people just wish things would “go back to normal.” Why this is not a good idea.
• How to grieve who you used to be before this big change happened without getting stuck holding on to the past.
• What “integration” is and the role it plays when you’ve experienced loss and are on the path of rediscovering yourself.
• Why she recommends thinking of yourself as “a goldfish in a fishbowl” as a way to simplify and filter out what doesn’t help on the road to recovery.
• …and ultimately, what is needed in order to dream a new dream and (as she says) “own your phoenix.”

All this month, we’ve been focused on simplifying different aspects of our body for better understanding on how our body, mind, and spirit are inner-connected. This powerful conversation tackles it from a slightly different angle and I’m so thrilled to share it with you.

Take it slow, take deep breaths along the way, and more importantly, talk to someone about this episode. 

Just one person to help you remove some of the burden off your shoulders and slowly move forward on your path. We were never meant to tackle life alone. You’ve got me, heart wide open, running alongside you as well. Just breathe, my friend.

Q: Are you ready to rediscover yourself after grief + trauma? If yes, this one is for you.

It’s time to #DoTheThing!

<What’s catching my eye this week>

• Practical resources for processing grief and loss – CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• February 2022 monthly forecast: Discipline – Lena Stevens – The Power Path
• 50 powerful questions to help you reflect – The Institute of You
• Gain clarity in 90 minutes: Mary is offering 1-1 brainstorming sessions for those looking to get unstuck as the world reopens, post pandemic

Links, books and apps mentioned:

Book: Different after You: Rediscovering Yourself and Healing after Grief and Trauma – Michele Neff Hernandez

Book: Rodham: A Novel – Curtis Sittenfeld

Podcast: How to live boldly after unwanted change, featuring Miriam Neff – The Simplifiers Podcast

Podcast: How to squash your limiting self-beliefs – The Simplifiers Podcast

About Michele Neff Hernandez

Michele Neff Hernandez – She is the founder and CEO of Soaring Spirits International, an international widowed peer-support network which has served over four million widowed people since 2009. Since the death of her husband, Phillip, Michele has dedicated herself to providing resources, support, and community to widowed men and women around the world. 

She is the author of Different after You: Rediscovering Yourself and Healing after Grief and Trauma. Michele is the founder of the Soaring Spirits Resilience Center at Schreiner University, an awarded speaker, and a featured trainer for hospices and bereavement teams with a focus on resilience in grief. She was named a 2021 Top Ten CNN Hero, accepting her award from Wonder Woman and widow, Lynda Carter. Michele loves serving grieving communities and is honored to have been a part of thousands of peoples’ evolution from surviving to thriving.