Season 2 Reflections

We've reached the end of Season 2! Over these past six months, we've heard from 23 incredible voices - psychologists, artists, fellow widows, writers, parents, and researchers. Each person brought their unique perspective on grief, reminding me (and hopefully you) that grief has many faces and touches every aspect of our lives.

If there's one message I want you to take from this season, it's this: pay attention to how your grief shows up in your body, your choices, your relationships, and your vision for the future.

Grief doesn't always look like despair. Often, it wears the mask of rage, exhaustion, numbness, burnout, or physical pain. Our bodies remember even when our minds try to forget. If you're experiencing stomach pain, headaches, or getting sick constantly, please check in with your doctor. Grief can seriously impact both your physical and mental wellbeing.

I believe grief is something we learn to live with, not something that should take over our entire lives. There's room for both grief and life, and with the right support, you can rebuild after devastating loss.

In our final episode, I spoke with Natalia Millman about her moving art exhibition "Letters to Forever," based on letters sent to her from people around the world. The exhibition opens August 7th for about three weeks in St. Albans, just a short train ride from London.

You can learn more about this powerful project at https://www.nataliamillmanart.com/griefletterproject

I'd love to meet you there! I'll be at the exhibition on August 13th from 12-4PM. This immersive experience is filled with stories of loss that I think you'll find deeply inspiring. There are workshops and activities planned throughout the three-week run, so check the program and sign up. If you're planning to come, please email me at monika@guidetoafterlife.com so I know to look for you!

Thank you for sharing this Season 2 journey with me. If you're new here, welcome! I encourage you to check out our previous episodes.

I'm excited to share some news about what's coming next. One topic that repeatedly emerged this season was how to navigate relationships after loss. I've noticed this question comes up frequently in our community, often loaded with guilt, fear, pressure, and conflicting feelings.

Some of you feel pushed to move forward with life, while others can't imagine a future with someone new. You might worry about judgment from others (or yourself), feel guilty for thinking about new relationships, or fear opening your heart again.

If you've been feeling stuck or uncertain about relationships after loss, I've created something special for you. This September, I'm launching a free six-part audio mini-course all about relationships after loss. We'll cover:

• Navigating modern dating as a widow/widower

• Handling judgment from family, friends, and yourself

• Preparing your children for your dating life

• Breaking the news that you're seeing someone

• Managing grief while building new relationships

As always, everything will be grounded in psychology, packed with practical tips, and informed by lived experience. Visit https://www.guidetoafterlife.com/dating to join the waiting list and be first to know when it launches. You'll also receive my grief-friendly dating guide filled with exercises to help you reflect and prepare.

It's been such an honor to share this journey with you. I hope you have a restorative summer break, and I look forward to seeing many of you in St. Albans on August 13th!

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @guide_to_afterlife for more grief tips and resources. And don't forget to visit guidetoafterlife.com to send me your questions and access the grief MOT, your free first aid program for grief.

Thank you for being part of our community. Season 3 begins in September with our special focus on relationships after loss.

This week on A Guide to After Life, Dr. Monika Wieliczko is joined by clinical psychologist and author Dr. Claire Plumbly to explore the often-overlooked intersection between grief and burnout. Together, they unpack how the nervous system responds to grief, why burnout is so common after loss, and how we can begin to rebuild capacity when simply getting through the day feels overwhelming.

Claire shares insights from her book Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You and offers a powerful framework for understanding the nervous system like a car engine with different gears—and how knowing what gear you’re in helps you navigate recovery more effectively.

They explore:

• How grief-related burnout differs from emotional exhaustion

• What it means to be in “survival mode” and why you can’t just breathe your way out of it

• The three types of burnout and how they show up in widowhood and solo parenting

• Why nervous system regulation matters—and how to start shifting gears gently

• How professional identity, parenting, and purpose get redefined after loss

Resources:

• • take part in The Grief MOT - your first-aid course for grief
  • Don't forget to subscribe to A Guide to After Life podcast list to be notified of more conversations about navigating grief:
  • Book a free 15-consultation with me to discuss the results of your Grief MOT
  • Find out about Grief Group Therapy that I offer
  • Unsure whether to see a psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor or grief coach for grief support? Read this blog post to find out more.

Where to Buy Claire’s Book:
📘 Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You (UK edition)
📘 The Trauma of Burnout (US edition)
🛒 Buy the book directly from Claire’s website: www.drclaireplumbly.com/burnout-book

Guest Bio:
Dr. Claire Plumbly is a clinical psychologist with expertise in trauma, burnout, and nervous system regulation. She is the author of Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You and founder of Good Therapy Ltd. in Somerset, UK. Claire is passionate about helping people understand that burnout is not a personal failure, but a nervous system stuck in survival. Her practical tools and compassionate approach empower people to reclaim their energy, purpose, and self-trust after loss.

Connect with Dr. Claire Plumbly:
🌐 Website: https://www.drclaireplumbly.com
📱 Instagram: @drclaireplumbly
📘 Facebook: Claire Plumbly Psychology
🔗 LinkedIn: Dr. Claire Plumbly
🎥 TikTok: @drclaireplumbly