Why I Don't Wear High Heels When Grieving: Musings on Loss, Hope, and Resilience - Paperback

Why I Don't Wear High Heels When Grieving is a down-to-earth guide to coping with loss that examines grief with a wide lens to include death, but also non-death losses such as chronic illness, job changes, frayed relationships, infertility, financial struggles, and stressful situations.

With an unexpectedly cheeky tone, author Cheryl Amari draws upon her personal experiences and her work as a bereavement specialist to present contemporary research and grief theories through examples, real-life stories, and illustrations. In this eye-opening book, the nuances of grief are explored in a life-affirming, hopeful, and even entertaining manner. Topics covered include:

• Modern theories that go beyond the "five stages of grief"
• Differences between grief and depression
• How grief affects our bodies, minds, behaviors, spiritual life, and social connections
• Why an attitude of gratitude may be more detrimental than helpful
• The role that gender, societal expectations, and other factors play in our reactions to loss
• Politics and social justice in grief
• Meaningful rituals that aid in the healing process

Cheryl uses candor and wit to debunk myths and emphasize that grieving well is the key to living well. A unique three-step approach with practical strategies helps readers deal with any type of loss. Summarizing statements and insightful reflection prompts at the end of each chapter encourage a deeper understanding of grief and greater self-awareness. Readers discover that even in the midst of doubt and despair, there is a path forward.