Grief Blog — Forced Joy Project

Mourning Pages

Join Barri Leiner Grant of the memory circle as she discusses the journal practice, morning pages - or the grief version, mourning pages.

Community for Grievers

Grief is personal. Grief is isolating. But it doesn’t have to be experienced alone. Join a community of grievers who “get it.”

Dana FrostDecember 12, 2023forced joy club, grief community, grief support, grief gift, widow community, parent loss, sibling lossComment

10 Years Survival

10 years ago, without fanfare, I received an email from my radiologist that said “scans are perfect.” It had been a year of clean scans since my sudden and unexpected relapse.

Letting Go

Even in grief, we must learn to let go. Not of the love for our people (that will always remain). But the previous version of our life. The previous version of what we thought our life would look like.

Dana FrostOctober 2, 2023widowhood, young widow, widow, cancer widow, grief support, moving forward after loss, moving forward, life after lossComment

What I wish People Knew About Grief

In honor of National Grief Awareness Day, I’m sharing 10 things I wish more people knew about grief.

Honoring (and Letting Go of) Past Commitments

But letting go is hard - and oftentimes comes with grief and sadness and guilt. It’s also another loss. Another reminder that life has shifted so profoundly. So instead of letting go, maybe we need to be better at letting it flow.

Finding Joy in Grief

But what about the early days of grief? On those days when it feels impossible to eat. Or shower. Or just freaking get out of bed. How do you find joy on those days?

Dana FrostMay 1, 2023joy still exists, grief and joy, grief, young widow, forced joy, moving forward, moving forward after lossComment

How Direct Should a Doctor be about a Diagnosis?

Why aren’t doctors direct with us when it comes to a terminal diagnosis? Without a realistic view of the situation, patients and families don’t have a fair shot at prioritizing what matters most in the end.

Dana FrostApril 25, 2023patient advocacy, cancer, cancer diagnosis, terminal diagnosis, terminal, stage 4 cancer, widow, metastatic diagnosisComment

Cleaning Out the Closet

Starting at the row of suits and dress shirts, it would have been unclear that Brad had died over a year ago. Nothing had changed. Even his belt, which he casually tossed on top of the dresser, was unmoved.

Dana FrostMarch 6, 2023cancer widow, fuck cancer, cleaning out the closet after deathComment

Ways to Love Yourself While Grieving

When Brad first died, self-love involved alcohol and weed. I’m not proud of it, but it felt like the only way I could love myself was by numbing my feelings.

Dana FrostFebruary 6, 2023grief, self care, self love and grief, widow, young, young widow, cancer widow, grief support, grief guide Comment

The Power of Community

There is a difference between showing up and being seen. A difference between sympathizing and empathizing. A difference between being understanding and feeling understood. And sometimes, the only people who get it are those who have been through it.

Dana FrostJanuary 18, 2023forced joy club, grief community, grief and loss, grief support, widowhood, cancer support, young widow, stories of griefComment

Starter Smash Kits

The day after Brad died, a friend of mine gathered some old electronics and thrifted glassware and let me take a golf club to the pile in a back alley in Detroit. He did the same thing after the first wedding I attended solo.

Dana FrostDecember 10, 2022grief gift, bereavement gift, gifts for grievers, breakup gift, grief and loss, widow, young widow, fuck cancer, fuck fineComment

How to Slow Down During the Holiday Hustle

As I was walking out the door his parting words were, “Just keep going! That’s the key to a successful business: never let up.” But the truth is, I want to let up. I don’t want to always keep going. If there’s one thing grief has taught me, it’s the importance of rest.

Dana FrostNovember 13, 2022holidays and grief, life after loss, grief reflection, slow living, grief Comments

Fork in the Road

I feel like I’m standing at a fork. To the left is a clear path - a comfortable path. I know what to expect on that path because I’ve taken it before.

To the right is a new path. It’s covered in overgrown brush with thorns and wildflowers and I can’t quite see through it. This path is both exciting and terrifying.

Dana FrostSeptember 14, 2022life after loss, Moving Forward, widow, Widowhood, life transition, grief, grief and loss Comments

Book of Stories

Looking for the perfect gift to give someone grieving the loss of a loved one? Hoping to commemorate their life through memories, stories, and tributes?

The Power of Sharing Our Stories (And not Being Fine)

Fulfillament is a live storytelling event where community leaders & entrepreneurs share their journey toward fulfillment through vocation that challenges them to COME ALIVE!

Dana FrostMay 26, 2022grief, widow, widowhood, fuck fine, grief and loss, Moving ForwardComment

Dating after Loss

Navigating a relationship in the wake of a profound loss is complicated. It takes an immense amount of courage to put yourself out there.

Dana FrostMarch 15, 2022Widowhood, widow, young widow, dating and widowhood, dating after loss, cancer widowComment

Kidney Cancer Awareness Month

I'm aware it’s a sneaky cancer that doesn’t let itself known until it’s too late. I'm aware that the “lucky” ones who discover it early, usually discover it on accident. I'm aware it has the ability to - in an instant - swoop in and steal the life of the person you love most in the world, taking your life along with it.

Dana FrostMarch 9, 2022kidney cancer, cancer, widow, widowhood, young widow, loss, kidney cancer awarenessComment

For my most up-to-date writings & thoughts, please check out my substack, I’m Fine (& Other Lies)

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