Honoring Our Grief: Navigating Individual & Collective Loss

You are invited to the second of a series of workshops and talks hosted by Bright Shadow, Honoring Our Grief: Navigating Individual & Collective Loss, on February 24, 2025.

Our community continues to navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, exacerbating the challenges we face on both a personal and collective level. Join Bright Shadow founders, Chris Gragtmans and Sommerville Johnston, LCMHC, SEP, for a series of workshops designed to educate, connect, and relieve a little of our held tension.

About the series:

Each evening will include a brief presentation on a topic, opportunities to connect with others on both shared stressors and resources, and tools to help your mind and body not only cope but increase capacity for ALL the chaos and ALL the joy!

About this workshop:

What is grief? What are the five stages? Five emotions? Something to get over or through?

Loss is inevitable, an aspect of life that defines life, the way a shadow defines the light. And when we don't take a chance on grieving a significant loss, we may find ourselves stuck in depression, numbness, disorientation, difficulty focusing, or anger that refuses to accept what is. But what happens when we consider that grief is praising, expressing, and experiencing our love for that which we have lost?

In this final gathering of our winter mental health series, we will provide an orientation to and exploration of grief (what is it?) and opportunities to help each other honor what we have lost, including the beautiful natural spaces all around us that have been impacted by the storm. The workshop will be a blend of teaching, smaller group activity, and internal reflection. It will also be a taste of the longer and immersive Bright Shadow retreats that are planned for 2025. We can't wait to share this with you.

Attendees will be invited to share their personal experiences, however it is always optional and never mandatory. This space is meant to be a welcoming, open, safe space for all.

Brief housekeeping:

We ask that attendees set all devices on "do not disturb" during this workshop, and stash them away, so that we can be fully present with ourselves and one another.

We also request that, should you find you're not able to join us after registering, you cancel your ticket so that we can free up a seat for someone on the waitlist.

Wear what makes you comfortable. We will remove shoes upon arrival, so feel free to don your favorite fluffy socks and happiest stretchy pants.

Bring your own mug for hot tea if you like (but don't worry if you don't, we will have extras).

Come as you are. We can't wait to welcome you!

Host or Publisher Catalyst Collaborations