In this I Dibs the Front episode, I reflect on two things. First is how we use creativity in the grieving process, helping us deal with the immediate loss of a loved one. Second, how do we use creativity to remember and honour those we’ve lost - grief is always there.
A year on from my sister Pippa’s death, I talk about how shared jewellery, clothing, and even a tattoo have become powerful reminders of her. They are some of the ways I carry her with me, literally and emotionally. I also share the story of a woman who recently lost her daughter and her journey to release her late daughter’s music as a posthumous gift to the world. Her deeply moving example fuelled my thoughts on how creativity can help us both say goodbye and keep someone close.
So, whether it’s making a playlist, writing through the sadness, or crafting something in tribute, this is a gentle invitation to consider how creativity can be a thread between loss and love.
Key Takeaways:
💫 Creativity offers a language for grief, buffering the overwhelm
💍 Sentimental objects and shared items can hold surprising emotional weight
🎞️ Creating something for someone is also about making it for yourself
🎧 Playlists and music create communal artefacts for remembrance
🖋️ Creative rituals as memorials can be small, symbolic, or lifelong. They matter and you get to choose what they are
💌 You’re invited: I’d love to hear how you’ve used creativity to honour your loved ones. If you’re keen to share you can reach me at: dragonflypilates@earthlink.net
📙Pippa was an adventurer and for two years she taught high school English in the UAE. She started a blog to share her new life with her friends and family: https://pippasperegrinations.wordpress.com/about/
🌏 If this episode resonates with you, please consider following Threads & Bones on Apple Podcasts, leaving a review, or sharing it with someone who might find comfort in it.
You can also subscribe to my newsletter at The Vibrancy Society for more musings on creativity, life, and all the beautiful in-betweens.
Thanks for listening,
xBec
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