Episode 16: We are Orlando

Self-care to help process through tragedy in our community;

Get a helium balloon write #we are orlando and let it go, it’s easy, and quick, you can go to a park or something outside, and release it and let it go, and watch it, follow it and as it fades, or disappears, getting a sense of closure.

Donate blood

Volunteer; makes for a fun date night. There is certainly no shortage of need out there.

Call, tweet, write your congress; be a voice for change.

Attend a vigil or maybe host your own, have some friends over light some candles in memory of the lives lost, or the grief you are feeling about any situations in your life, you don’t need a group either, you can simply head out to the backyard and light a candle.

Go to a Pride event - June is Gay Pride month in the states!

Avoid the media by turning off the TV, tuning out of FB, Be cautious about the information you are feeding yourself.  Is it legit? Try to seek out positive news or uplifting stories - this might very well be the best week to watch sweet little puppy videos, or kitten cuteness.

Talk about it Talk to your close friend, you can always ask them if they know about the shooting and how they feel about it, get a conversation going, talking through this type of grief for a cause and people we may not know is a lot different, it’s subtle and painful

Grief counseling - Just because you don’t personally know someone who was killed in Orlando does not mean you are not grieving. Allow yourself permission to attend to this grief, and know that you are not alone.