How Nature and Daily Rituals Saved Me From My Darkest Grief

Finding true healing after grief requires intentional steps and the courage to integrate new practices into our daily lives. Award-winning author, entrepreneur, and executive coach Laing Rikkers shares how the sudden loss of her sister, Jenna, propelled her into her darkest season and eventually led her to discover the transformative power of nature and mindfulness. In her acclaimed book, Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy, Laing maps out how small rituals—like walking, writing, and grounding—acted as anchors during her recovery. Through her work as a coach and grief workshop leader, she now teaches others how to transform profound heartbreak into a doorway for deeper connection and clarity. Discover how nature and daily rituals can serve as essential tools for anyone looking to navigate their own path through loss and toward renewed joy.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:The tragic irony of losing a sibling to obstructive sleep apnea despite a career dedicated to treating the condition and raising awareness.Why grief can feel like being in a "washing machine" and how professional counseling provides the necessary stability to forge a path through the darkness.The seven simple grounding practices—Sleep, Eat, Steep, Walk it, Talk it, Write it, and Pay it Forward—that serve as essential anchors for daily resilience.How engaging in creative activities like poetry and journaling can help transform overwhelming emotional pain into something beautiful and meaningful.The profound shift in perspective that comes with tragedy, and why embracing the "here and now" is the key to living a deliberate, joy-filled life.WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qesuTfWQjtQ&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh🍃✨ Step into a world of beauty, healing, and quiet joy. Discover Morning Leaves, a radiant blend of poetry, nature art, and reflection that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with meaning in everyday life. Whether you're navigating grief, seeking peace, or simply longing for more presence and light, this award-winning book offers a gentle path back to yourself—one morning at a time.---✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!)They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond.Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4wGet the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995📚 Embrace Life’s Third ChapterGood to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5🛍️ Healing & Self-Care PicksCurated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg📚 Grief & Rebirth BookshopBooks by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth🎙️ Podcast & CommunityInspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com📱 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinbergFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinbergTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening StoryWatch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM🎙️ Be a Podcast GuestHave a story or healing work to share?Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/📰 NewsletterGet updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth💖 Affiliate DisclaimerSome links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.