Greetings From

Ember & Bloom

Your husband died. You're a professional. And the question won't stop screaming in your head: How much of my grief do I show and still be seen as competent?

The answer might surprise you. I had to figure this out when the heat went out in my office and I faced a situation I wasn't ready for. What I learned about that conversation—and what I asked for instead of what I confessed—might change how you think about telling your boss you're a widow.

This week I'm wrote about the decision to tell your boss you're a widow—and more importantly, what you actually need to ask for when you do. I'm walk through my own story and share what I learned about asking for what I need—and why being honest about my grief didn't make me weak. It made me clear-headed.

Read Should You Tell Your Boss You’re a Widow? What to Say About Grief at Work​

Something to Try

Build your grief action plan for work. Write down your answers to these questions so you know what to do when grief hits:

• Where can I go to get a moment of peace? (An empty conference room? The bathroom? Your car?)
• Who in my work space is safe—someone I can simply sit with to regroup without explaining?
• Can I text or call a friend or advocate when I need support in the moment?
• Am I able to step outside? Does nature reset me?
• Can I take a moment to write out my thoughts so I can revisit them later, on my own time?

You're not fixing grief. You're building a toolkit so when it hits at work, you have some things to do or try.

I'll meet you here again next Monday. Until then, take one small breath and know that it is enough.

Hugs 💜💚 — Gladys