Welcome to The Journey to Healing Blog

Expert Advice on Grief, Coping and Navigating LifeTransitions

On this blog, I share stories and insights on navigating loss, overcoming grief through transitional times, and moving through challenging seasons of life.

Looking for something specific? Search below!

“The Long Shadow of Childhood Mother Loss”
grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Childhood Grief, Children and Loss, Mother Loss Bren Bell grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Childhood Grief, Children and Loss, Mother Loss Bren Bell

“The Long Shadow of Childhood Mother Loss”

The loss of a mother during childhood shapes a person in ways that aren't always obvious—until years or decades later. Whether due to death, abandonment, or emotional absence, losing your mother too soon can leave behind a silent grief that echoes through adulthood. In this blog, we explore what it means to heal that early loss, reconnect with the parts of you that still need nurturing, and find peace in a story that was interrupted far too early.

5 minute read

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“Rebuilding After the Loss of a Spouse – Finding Your New Identity”
grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Loss of a Spouse, Grieving a spouse, Rebuilding after Loss, Surviving death of a partner Bren Bell grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Loss of a Spouse, Grieving a spouse, Rebuilding after Loss, Surviving death of a partner Bren Bell

“Rebuilding After the Loss of a Spouse – Finding Your New Identity”

Losing a spouse can feel like losing a part of yourself—the rhythm of your days, the shared dreams, the quiet moments that once brought comfort. In the wake of such loss, it’s common to feel unmoored, unsure of how to begin again. This blog explores the tender process of rebuilding—not by “moving on,” but by gently finding your footing in a life forever changed. Together, we’ll look at ways to carry love forward, create new meaning, and rediscover moments of peace, one small step at a time.

3 minute read

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“Late Summer Blues – When Grief Feels Heavier in the Heat”
grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Summer Grief, Summer Blues, Seasonal Grief Bren Bell grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Summer Grief, Summer Blues, Seasonal Grief Bren Bell

“Late Summer Blues – When Grief Feels Heavier in the Heat”

As the sun blazes and the world seems to be in full bloom, grief can feel especially out of place—and unbearably heavy.
Late summer, with its long days and slow rhythms, can stir deep emotions. The warmth may bring back memories of people no longer here, or intensify the ache of what’s missing. In this post, we explore why grief can feel more intense during the heat of late summer—and how to navigate the emotional weight it brings.

3 minute read PLUS downloadable 7 Calming Practices PDF

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“Grieving Someone Still Alive – The Pain of Addiction”
grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Grief before Loss, Ambiguous Grief, Addiction Grief, Grief and Addiction Bren Bell grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Grief before Loss, Ambiguous Grief, Addiction Grief, Grief and Addiction Bren Bell

“Grieving Someone Still Alive – The Pain of Addiction”

 Learn how to navigate ambiguous grief when addiction has changed your loved one—and how to support your healing without losing hope.

5 minute read

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“The Silent Weight of Caregiving – Grieving Before Goodbye”
grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Caregiver Grief, Anticipatory Grief, Grief before Loss Bren Bell grief healing, Healing through Grief, Grief recovery, Caregiver Grief, Anticipatory Grief, Grief before Loss Bren Bell

“The Silent Weight of Caregiving – Grieving Before Goodbye”

Caregiving often begins with love, but over time, it can quietly usher in grief long before a final goodbye. This kind of loss—slow, invisible, and deeply personal—is rarely talked about. In this blog, we explore the silent sorrow caregivers carry as they witness their loved ones fade, and offer gentle ways to honor that grief along the way.

4 minute read

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“The Fine Line Between Solitude and Isolation in Grief: How to Navigate Both”
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“The Fine Line Between Solitude and Isolation in Grief: How to Navigate Both”

Solitude can be a place of healing—or a trap of isolation.💔
In grief, the line between the two can blur quickly. This blog explores how to recognize when being alone stops serving you—and how to gently reach for connection without guilt or pressure.

5 minute read

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“Healing Through Grief: How to Tell It’s Happening Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It”
tips, Self refleciton, Growth mindset, grief healing, Healing through Grief, Signs of Healing after Loss, Grief recovery Bren Bell tips, Self refleciton, Growth mindset, grief healing, Healing through Grief, Signs of Healing after Loss, Grief recovery Bren Bell

“Healing Through Grief: How to Tell It’s Happening Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It”

Not sure if you're healing through grief? Here are subtle signs you may be healing—plus tips, stats, and encouragement for your journey.

5 minute read

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