In the midst of deep grief, it’s easy to feel swallowed by darkness. But within that same space, joy can emerge as a soft, guiding light, offering comfort and gently leading us out of the shadows.
This week, I experienced this delicate balance firsthand as I navigated a profound mix of emotions—celebrating my grandson’s 2nd birthday while saying goodbye to my beloved cat, Typhee. These moments of joy and grief intertwined, reminding me that they often coexist, each holding the power to soften the other.
On Tuesday, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize Typhee, a cat who had been a cherished part of our family since 2016. She originally came into our lives when my dear friend Peter, her first owner, became terminally ill. Typhee brought us so much joy, even in the hardest of times, and her passing has left a deep void in my heart. Yet, as I grieve her loss, I find comfort in the joyful memories we shared, which now provides comfort and moments of joy in this dark time.
Finding Joy in a Moment
Every week, I like to offer a small assignment—an opportunity for you to find and create joy in your life, one moment at a time. This week, I want to encourage you to take a moment each day to acknowledge a feeling of sadness or loss that may be present in your heart. Then, in that same breath, seek out something that brings you a small spark of joy. Whether it’s a warm cup of tea, a walk in nature, a kind word from a friend, or a cherished memory, let yourself feel that joy alongside your grief.
These daily moments of joy are more than just fleeting distractions; they are gentle reminders that, even in grief, we can find light. By consciously seeking out these sparks of joy, we allow them to soften our grief and help guide us forward.
Creative Joy Activity: Memory Collage
Now, let’s add a self-expression exercise to this practice. In my bereavement studies and eventual work with clients, we used self-expression projects to release the emotions that had been bottling up. It was a great way to release feelings of fear, sadness, guilt, anger, and loss. What they learned is that there is something incredibly healing about expressing our emotions through art, and that’s exactly what I’d like to offer you in this “Joy In A Moment” activity—a Memory Collage.
Although you may have done collages in the past, even created vision boards too, this is where I’d like you to be open to using memories and special items to create something that represents both love and loss, through your joy and grief.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Begin by collecting a few items that hold meaning for you. This could be old magazines, photos, bits of fabric, small mementos, or even natural elements like leaves or flowers. These materials will help you create a visual representation of your emotions.
Step 2: Choose Your Base
Decide on a base for your collage. It could be a piece of paper, a canvas, a notebook page, or anything that feels right to you. This will be the foundation of your memory collage.
Step 3: Express Your Feelings
Start placing your materials on your base in a way that feels natural to you. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. You might choose images that remind you of loved ones, symbols of comfort, or colours that bring you peace. Think of this as a visual journey where joy and grief meet, with each piece representing a moment where joy has softened your grief, guiding you toward comfort and healing.
Step 4: Reflect and Display
As you are in the moment of creation, take a moment to reflect on the emotions that surface. Allow yourself to feel both the sadness and the joy, and see how they coexist in your collage. Once your creation is complete, place it somewhere you can see it throughout the week. Let it serve as a reminder that you can hold space for all your feelings while finding beauty in the process.
Honour Your Self-Expression
This week, as you navigate the complexities of joy and grief, I invite you to embrace the gentle power of joy in your life. Through small moments of joy and creative expression, you’ll find that joy can soften even the deepest grief, leading you from feeling the heaviness of loss to finding a softness in joy.
Remember, joy and grief do not cancel each other out—they live side by side, enriching our lives in ways we may not always see. By acknowledging and honouring both, we open ourselves to healing and a renewed sense of hope.
Share With Me!
If you create a Memory Collage this week, I’d love to see it! Feel free to share your creation with me and our community at Women Living Fully. I’d love to see what you create and hear how the experience was for you.
Wishing you a blessed week!
Pierrette
