Mobilizing Grief to Keep Love Alive | Anne Shepherd | TEDxMontanaStateUniversity

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Anne Shepherd's Grief Journey

Anne Shepherd, a teacher, writer, and athlete, lost her son Nolan to suicide on October 29th, 2021.
Despite receiving advice about the five stages of grief, Anne found that grief is not linear and sought alternative approaches.
She engaged in physical movement, such as long-distance trail runs and skiing, to process her trauma.
Anne found comfort in the legacy of Nolan's impact, as expressed by his friends in a video documentary they created.
She turned to sacred teachings, including the Book of Job and Native American traditions, for guidance and comfort.
Anne carried Nolan's hair in a pouch for a year to keep him close and provide support to others who were grieving.
She organized gatherings with Nolan's friends to share stories and keep his memory alive.
Anne engaged in writing to process her grief and tell the story of their lives after Nolan.
Despite setbacks, such as a family crisis and publishing challenges, Anne remained committed to moving forward and starting a new chapter in her life.

Anne Shepherd shares her grief journey and the steps she took to mobilize her grief and keep Nolan's memory alive.
By taking these steps, individuals can avoid standing alone in their grief and can mobilize their grief to keep learning, life, and love alive.