The Power of Community

Have you ever felt alone in your grief? Isolated? Misunderstood? Judged?

I know I have.

When Brad died, the isolation of simply existing as a 33-year-old widow felt unbearable. And it’s not that I wasn’t being supported. Of course I was. Well-intentioned friends and family checked in and showed up and did the best they could. They told me it would all be ok. That I was strong. That I would find joy again.

But it wasn’t enough.

Because there is a difference between showing up and being SEEN. A difference between sympathizing and EMPATHIZING. A difference in being understanding and FEELING UNDERSTOOD.

And sometimes, the only people who get it are those who have been through it.

You can have the most supportive network of friends and family and still feel alone if your network doesn’t understand what you’ve been through.

It’s why the grief community matters.

For me, it started with social media. It allowed me a space to share my story and find others with similar stories. It allowed us to connect, free of judgment through the safety of DMs.

But over the years I’ve noticed a shift. There are now so many grief-specific accounts that didn’t exist when Brad died. And it’s incredible. To witness how freely and openly others are sharing both their stories and their grief.

It’s validating. It’s comforting. It’s healing.

But lately, social media has become less about connecting and more about content. It’s less about meaning and more about monetizing. It’s about shareable posts lost in the abyss of algorithms.

I don’t know about you guys, but the more time I spend on social media these days, the more anxious, the more disconnected, and the more drained I feel. I find myself comparing and analyzing, even against those I respect and admire most.

And it’s not because you guys or this community is changing. It’s because the platform is.

It’s no longer meant for community. It’s meant for content.

And it’s exhausting. And even more isolating.

And I know I’m not alone.

This is one of the many reasons I created the Forced Joy Club. 

I miss the simple days of connecting with community. REAL COMMUNITY.

The Forced Joy Club is a community that helps grievers feel less alone, provides a safe and judgment-free space to share stories and resources, and creates meaningful connections that help better navigate the complexities of grief.

It’s a space to learn. To be seen. To heal. To grieve.

Will you be joining? 

Forced Joy Club: For Grievers, by Grievers.