Blog Post Archives - The Widow Collaborative

Grief & Work Performance: How to Manage Your Job After the Loss of a Spouse

A widowed businesswoman is feeling stressed in an office.

Losing a spouse is one of life’s most profound losses. When someone experiences grief after a significant loss, it can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including their work. On top of the emotional weight, many widows face the reality of returning to work while their world feels completely changed. Grief doesn’t follow a schedule—and balancing workplace demands with the emotional, physical, and mental toll of loss can feel …

Losing a spouse is devastating, but watching your child grieve their other parent is a heartbreak all its own. As the surviving parent, you’re left to manage your own sorrow while also supporting your child through theirs. It’s a heavy dual role—caregiver, comforter, protector—and it can be difficult to know what to say or do. But even in the most painful moments, your presence and care can provide a sense …

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line. One day you’re surviving hour by hour. The next, you laugh at something unexpected—and then feel a wave of guilt crash in. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve recently lost your spouse or it’s been years, “widowed grief and guilt” can sneak into moments of joy and leave you questioning your own healing. Let’s get one thing straight: You are allowed …

I was having a conversation with my daughter who is set to leave for college in a week. She stated that “no good can come from death.” I disagreed and realized this girl needed one more lesson before she headed off to college. I’m sure she rolled her eyes with every word. But our conversation reminded me of something that I wrote early in grief about the lessons that I …

Woman talking through budgeting after the loss of a spouse with a professional

Losing a spouse is one of life’s most painful experiences, and facing the practical realities—especially managing finances—can quickly feel overwhelming during such a difficult time. One of the biggest questions many face is how to claim bank account(s) of deceased spouse while adjusting to life on a single income. This guide is here to walk you through the process step-by-step, making it easier to understand what to expect and how …

Darkness can be described as the absence of light… vacancy, emptiness, void. To my grieving readers, this description may sound familiar to what you feel in your loss. Grief indeed feels like the absence of light, without our loved one. Without our person, we feel lost without light in a perpetual soul search to find who we are after death. Many times we are faced with so many tasks and …

I have always been a worrier, and anxiety is a family affair-genetically touching many of my family members. I remember a childhood friend describing me as “a nervous little person.” This is who I am. How Anxiety & Grief Intertwine My worries have shifted, changed, and continue to transform as I age and experience life. My anxiety has ebbed and flowed, sometimes worse… sometimes better. Early in my grief, …

On top of the emotional toll of losing your spouse, you may suddenly find yourself managing financial and legal matters that once felt far removed from your day-to-day life. Insurance—whether it’s life, health, or homeowners—often tops that list, and trying to navigate claims or policy changes while grieving can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the crucial insurance steps to take after your spouse’s death. We’ll also cover …

Teenage girl hugging her mother at home.

“Everything happens for a Reason…” Is a phrase that often gets thrown around after a loss of a loved one. Most grievers will accept the comment, give a polite nod and thank you, because we know it was a comment made of goodwill. It’s a comment that is supposed to help us heal or somehow make sense of the devastation that has just hit our lives. Death and loss are …

Cropped shot of Asian woman sitting at dining table, handling personal finance with laptop. She is making financial plan and planning budget as she go through her financial bills, tax and expenses at home. Wealth management, banking and finance concept

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can endure, and during this heartbreaking time, many widows find themselves facing complex financial questions, especially concerning any outstanding debts their spouse may have left behind. One of the most common concerns is: If a spouse dies, what happens to their debt? Is a widow responsible for debt after death, and how does one manage spouse’s debt after death? …

Grief & Work Performance: How to Manage Your Job After the Loss of a Spouse

Helping Your Child Cope with the Loss of a Parent as the Surviving Parent

Widows Can Have Fun Too: Surviving Widow Grief & Guilt

5 Things I’ve Learned Since My Husband’s Death

Budgeting After Loss: How to Adjust Your Finances for a Single Income

Letting Light Back In After the Loss of a Spouse

Restless

Insurance Claims & Rates After Loss: How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Support You Need

“Everything Happens for a Reason…”

Does a Widow Inherit Her Husband’s Debt?: Dealing with Debt After the Loss of a Spouse

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