On Her Way - with Grief and Loss by Beryl Botman

Finding New Ways

I mean this quite literally. Finding my way, mostly on my own takes much courage, determination and confidence. I mean traveling locally or anywhere else in the world takes definite decision making including finding travel mates or taking to the road on my own. I’ve tried breaking the routine of the daily grind by traveling in different ways, and might I add, very rewardingly.

Self Publication

Having written  With (-out) You / Sedert die dood ons skei and Still, love remains / Steeds bly die liefde led to the challenge of publication. I found it to be not such a simple matter. Having not been able to find a willing established publisher, I had to make another plan. In fact, my process led to self-publication. This was a world completely foreign to me and I had to learn much and fast. Here is what I did to self-publish my books.

My Writing Process

Telling stories is not only one of the ways to shine a light on our lives, it is living our lives, sharing our lives. In With (-out) You / Sedert die dood ons skei and Still, love remains / Steeds bly die liefde I told part of my story, the story of my loss and grief. I wish to give you a glimps of the process I followed.

Choosing Where To Live

Choosing where to live continually proves to be a deeply emotional decision. However, those decisions also have to be practical and financially sound taking your new circumstances into account.  And all of this during a highly stressful and demanding period of  your life and moving house just seems too much to have to cope with.

Psychic Encounters

Going public with my psychic encounters is challenging because it might be a touchy subject in some communities, including the ones I live in. Glad, though to share such valuable insights into myself, parts of me I would otherwise be unaware of and mostly confirming readings into my life situation. Psychic encounters brought affirmation, new direction, a sense satisfaction and connectedness beyond the here and now. Peace.

Shall I Love Again?

At first and for a long time, love interests, other than the love lost, seems unimaginable. It takes real courage to open oneself up again for new possibilities and this might not come without it’s own complications. Opening up exposes one’s vulnerability, you have to protect yourself and at the same time try not to expect to find another Russel.

The Love I "Lost"

The death of my beloved, my love confused my understanding of love. The death of my beloved, the love of my life, confused my understanding, my knowledge and experience of this love.   The feedback to my book further moved me into rethinking love in its new form.

Releasing the Pain and Sorrow

The beginning of a new year might be as good a time any to consider how to consciously release your pain and sorrow.  Dig deep inside yourself to get in touch and let the inner you flow. Be creative and let it go.

The Firsts

Is the first year of grief really the worst? Remembering and feeling the physical absence on all your significant days can be really traumatic. Days of celebration, remembrance and sadness continues throughout the first year. Does it stop or even just get better thereafter if you lean into them?

Health Matters

You are responsible for your own well being. You don’t only have to take extra care of your health for the period immediately after your loss to see you through the most critical period but it should be a longterm commitment. Health matters not only includes your body but also your mind, emotions and spirit. Pay all of these your attention and take care of yourself.