by Cori Leigh | Feb 12, 2025 | Journey From Anxiety to Peace
We believe the messages we tell ourselves. During a long season of living with anxiety and panic attacks, I wrote constantly. Writing became a therapeutic way of coping. Doing this helped me deal with my thoughts about the fear and anxiety in my life. Below is something I wrote when trying to remind myself that it was just anxiety.
It’s Just Anxiety
An all too familiar feeling of paralyzing fear wells up inside.
Except… there is nothing to fear.
A surge of adrenaline rushes all through me in a whoosh!
It is just a false alarm and no reason to run.
I am flooded with a multitude of uncomfortable symptoms.
It’s another panic attack.
There is an overreaction in my mind, causing it to race.
I’m thrust into fight-or-flight mode.
A strong desire enters in to have someone near.
I don’t want to be alone during the panic attack.
I tell myself…
It’s just anxiety, and it can’t hurt me.
Panic and raging fear are not my Goliath.
There’s not much it can do to me anymore.
I have lived with it for so many years.
Every new day is a strange mystery.
I never know when the panic will come.
When it does, my world is shaken.
Fear will rush in.
I will keep reminding myself of what it is.
Anxiety has no power over me.
What do you tell yourself about the anxiety in your life?
What we tell ourselves has the power to heal us or break us more. Positive affirmations that help decrease anxiety are an integral part of the healing journey.
But what if we shift our focus from anxiety, stress, and worry to more constructive and peaceful thoughts?
Here are a few benefits to consider:
Improved Mental Health: Redirecting your thoughts can reduce the intensity and frequency of anxiety. By focusing on positive outcomes, gratitude, or even small daily achievements, you create a mental buffer against stress.
Physical Health: Anxiety often manifests physically—racing heart, muscle tension, fatigue. By focusing less on stress and more on relaxation techniques, your body can experience reduced symptoms, leading to overall better health.
Emotional Resilience: When you practice shifting your focus away from worry, you build emotional strength. This resilience allows you to handle life’s challenges with a calmer mind and a stronger sense of self.
Productivity and Joy: Worrying can be paralyzing, making it difficult to focus on tasks. By minimizing anxiety, you open the door to increased productivity and a greater sense of accomplishment, which in turn brings more joy into your life.
Peace comes when you can accept yourself for who you are. Know you are more than the anxiety that may exist in your life. You can reclaim your peace and live a life with more balance and purpose.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
by Cori Leigh | Jan 4, 2025 | Journey From Anxiety to Peace
We’ve all been there—those days when nothing seems to go right from the start! Maybe it’s rushing to get somewhere on time only to forget something crucial, or dealing with unexpected setbacks. Whatever the case, bad days can leave us feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed.
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by Cori Leigh | Sep 18, 2024 | Coping while Grieving, Coping with Losing a Pet, Dealing with Loss, Grief
Grief comes in many forms, and the loss of a beloved pet can be one of the most profound experiences of sadness and heartache we face. Pets are more than companions; they become family members, deeply woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Their love is constant and unconditional; losing them can leave a hole that feels impossible to fill.
As a family, we’ve faced many layers of loss over the years, but the loss of our pets during difficult times hit particularly hard. At the end of August 2022, my little dog Bella, who had been with me for 17 ½ years, passed away in her dog bed, right beside me.
Her loss was just the beginning of a cascade of grief, as my father, already weakened by cancer, passed away just 2 ½ months later. The grief I experienced wasn’t only tied to many other losses, but also to the realization that layers of my life were unraveling all at once.
Layers of Grief: When Loss Piles Up
From 2019 to 2024, I experienced a series of losses that included both close family members and pets. After Bella’s passing, I knew in my heart that I would eventually need another dog, but I wasn’t prepared for how deep the void would feel. Bella had been my shadow, my loyal friend, my constant companion for 17 ½ years.
She wasn’t just my pet; she was family. Bella had this special way of offering comfort—not just to me, but to my dad, who was living with dementia. She was a quiet support dog, her presence giving him something to focus on, a source of care and love in his final few years of life.
When Bella died, I felt completely lost. Her absence was so tangible that I felt it in every moment. She had been such an integral part of my caregiving journey with my parents that I couldn’t imagine life without her by my side.
This was a deep grief, the kind that isn’t always understood by others. Many people dismiss pet loss as “lesser” than losing a human loved one. The truth is that losing a pet is also carries a heavy weight of grief.
The Decision to Open My Heart Again
After Bella’s death, I began to think about adopting another dog. I knew I wasn’t ready just yet. I was still caring for my dad, and I could feel the weight of anticipatory grief as I watched him decline. His battle with cancer was nearing its end, and I was trying to balance the sadness of losing Bella with the knowledge that I would soon lose my dad too.
Then, just before my dad passed away, I received a call from a rescue organization about a tiny one-year-old Shih Tzu/Chihuahua mix named Emma. She needed a home, and they thought I might be the right person to adopt her.
I was torn. and not sure I could handle the emotional toll of bringing a new dog into my life while I was still grieving Bella. Given my dad’s failing health I began to reconsider adopting because of the time-sensitive urgency for them to rehome her.
The date to take her with us was set for November 12 2022 but my dad was so very sick. Still, I agreed to take her knowing my daughter could help care for her while I cared for my dad.
On the same day in the early morning of November 12, my dad passed away at home with my sister, her husband and I by his side. Given the heartbreaking circumstances of losing my dad, I almost canceled the adoption plans.
My 27-year-old daughter, who still lives with me, said something in my parent’s kitchen that changed my perspective.
“Mom, we’ve been through so much,” she said through tears. “Maybe new life may help us cope with the loss of Bella and Papa.”
Her words resonated with me. She was right. Despite the overwhelming grief, there was a chance that a new life—no matter how small—might bring some light into our darkest days.
On the day my dad passed away, Emma was delivered to us. She was just 4 ½ pounds, a fragile little soul who had come from a difficult first year of life. And in that moment, I understood her fear, because I was feeling so lost myself.
Two years later, Emma has become a special friend, helping to fill the void that Bella left behind. But even though I’ve opened my heart to another dog, I still miss Bella every day. Grief is like that. It doesn’t go away entirely, but it becomes part of who we are, and in time, we learn to live alongside it.
Less than a year after losing Bella and my dad, our 21-year-old cat, Daisy Girl, also passed away due to old age. We were blessed to have her with us for so long, but her loss was still deeply felt.
Then, just a month and a half later, we lost our 16-year-old lab mix, Koda. He had been with us since he was just 5 ½ weeks old, and he passed on what would have been my dad’s 87th birthday.
Amid all this heartache, our dear Emma became even more special. In the days, months, and now almost a year since we lost Koda, we’re still learning to live without those we loved so dearly.
Pet grief is hard, and while we may eventually move forward, our hearts remain open to the love we had—and always will have—for them.
How do you move forward and heal your wounded heart? You do, but it’s not about leaving the grief behind; it’s about moving with the grief and loss.
Grief never completely goes away, but with time, healing does happen.
Moving Forward: Finding Ways to Heal
The loss of a pet can leave you feeling overwhelmed with sadness, but there are ways to navigate this grief and eventually move forward. Here are some ways that have helped me cope, and I hope they will offer some comfort to you as well.
Acknowledge the Depth of Your Grief
Society may not always recognize the full depth of pet loss as a “real” grief. You will feel the loss deeply because the bond was real and important. Allow yourself to feel the pain and don’t be afraid to talk about it with others who understand.
Create a Memorial
One of the most healing things you can do after losing a pet is to create special ways to remember them. Whether through a photo album, a memorial in your garden, or something special like lighting a candle on the anniversary of their passing.
Acts of remembrance can help honor their memory and give you a sense of closure.
Lean on Your Support System
Grief is not something you should carry alone. Talk to friends, family, or others who have experienced similar losses. Sometimes, just sharing your story with someone who understands can be incredibly comforting.
Consider Loving Another
Opening your heart to another pet doesn’t mean you’re replacing the one you lost. Rather, it’s a way of continuing to share the love you have with another animal in need. It took me some time to welcome Emma into my life, but she has brought me joy and healing in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Give Yourself Time
Grief is not a linear process. There will be good days and hard days, and it’s okay to feel a range of emotions. Permit yourself to grieve in your own time, and don’t rush the healing process. Remember, every relationship is unique, and so is the grief that follows.
Final Thoughts
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, but it’s also a reminder of the deep love we have for them, The grief we experience when they pass away is a reflection of how much they meant to us.
While the pain of losing Bella and my other pets will always be with me, the memories and the love I continue to share with Emma and my other pets are part of the healing process.
It’s possible to move forward with grief by continuing to love, even when it feels impossible at first. We don’t forget those we’ve lost, but we learn to make room for new connections and new joy. And in doing so, we honor the pets who brought us so much love and happiness.
by Cori Leigh | Sep 3, 2024 | Faith
When life is hard, it’s easy to lose hope. Health crises, the loss of loved ones, and traumatic experiences often leave us wondering, “When will it ever get better?”
I’ve certainly had my share of difficult seasons. During those tough times, I experienced intense anxiety and uncertainty, often feeling lost and broken.
I sometimes felt consumed by my circumstances, with fears, the weight of grief, and many concerns weighing me down. Hope dimmed, energy dissipated and joy faded.
Yet, even in those darkest moments, I discovered that hope prevails. There are ways to rise with hope in tough times!
How to Rise with Hope
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to lose sight of hope. But there are ways to stay anchored in faith and keep moving forward. Here are a few ways you can hold on to hope when life feels unbearable:
Lean on Your Faith
In the stormiest seasons of life faith becomes our anchor. Have you ever felt distant from God during hard times? I have. Yet, when I spent even a few quiet moments in prayer, I was reminded that He never leaves, even when my heart feels heavy.
When you feel weak and the heavy weight of burdens, remember that He is your strength, Jesus is with you, even when you can’t feel his presence.
The Power of Prayer in Tough Times
When life becomes overwhelming, and we feel burdened by grief, fear, or uncertainty, prayer can be a powerful source of comfort and strength.
Praying during tough times isn’t just about asking God to fix our problems. It’s about opening our hearts to His presence, surrendering our burdens, and trusting Him to guide us through the storm.
Have you ever noticed that when you give your burdens to Jesus, your heart feels lighter?
By offering our worries and fears to Him, we lighten our hearts, renew our hope, and find the strength to keep moving forward.
Prayer reminds us that God is with us every step of the way, helping us rise with renewed energy and peace.
Take One Day at a Time
When life feels overwhelming, it’s tempting to focus on everything that’s going wrong. But trying to solve all our problems at once can feel unbearable. Instead, focus on today. Take one small step at a time, trusting that God will give you the grace you need for tomorrow when it comes.
Matthew 6:34 reminds us not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough trouble of its own. When you focus on today’s steps, you’ll find strength in each moment, without feeling weighed down by tomorrow’s unknowns.
Surround Yourself with Support
Grief and hardship can make us feel isolated as if no one truly understands our pain. But remember, you don’t have to carry this weight alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or a faith community.
Sometimes, hearing someone say, “I’m here for you,” can remind you that you’re not walking through this storm alone.
Don’t hesitate to seek professional help or pastoral counseling if needed. There’s no shame in getting the support you need when life feels too heavy to bear alone.
Attitude of Gratitude
It can be hard to see the good when everything feels wrong. But even in the darkest seasons, there are glimmers of hope. Make it a habit to look for small blessings each day—whether it’s the warmth of the sun, a kind word from a friend, or a moment of peace.
Gratitude helps shift our focus from what we’ve lost to what we still have. And sometimes, those small moments of gratitude are enough to keep us going.
Take Care of Yourself
Grief, anxiety, and stress can take a toll on your physical health. It’s important to care for your body, mind, and soul. Make sure you’re nourishing your body, getting enough rest, and doing things that replenish your spirit.
A walk outside, quiet time in nature, or a few moments of stillness can do wonders and restoring your energy and perspective.
Hold on to Hope
Hope doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. It’s the quiet confidence that, even when things are hard, God is working for your good. Hold on to that hope, even if it’s just a small glimmer. Sometimes, just believing that tomorrow could be better gives us the strength to face today.
A Poem: Wrapped in His Perfect Love
I wrote this poem several years ago during a difficult time. It’s a reminder that, even when life feels overwhelming, we are wrapped in His perfect love!
Your heart shatters beneath the weight of fear,
this brokenness you carry year by year.
Hope dims as shadows cloud your sight,
and faith, once strong, gives way to fright.
What future lies ahead in this despair?
In the storm, is Jesus truly there?
Anxiety’s tide has shifted the shore,
and peace feels distant, lost evermore.
Consumed by fears that steal your days,
the past has melted in an anxious haze.
Longing for freedom, though the path seems dim,
at last, you surrender all to Him.
Now you look to Jesus, your soul at rest,
for in His peace, your heart is blessed.
Wrapped in His perfect love, you rise with hope, set free,
no longer bound by life’s stormy sea.
In His perfect love, you’ve found your way,
from darkness to light, to a brighter day.
Friends, if you’ve survived hard things, you are not alone. I encourage you not to give up. God’s perfect love will comfort you and bring new hope, even in the darkest moments.
On those days when getting out of bed feels impossible, remember this: His light is still shining. Sometimes it may feel faint, just a small glimmer on the horizon, but it’s enough. That tiny spark of hope can light the way through today, and before you know it, brighter days will come again.
by Cori Leigh | Aug 15, 2024 | Coping while Grieving, Dealing with Loss, Encouragement for Caregivers, Grief
Losing a loved one is a heart-wrenching experience. If you are in grief and missing a loved one, I’m sorry for your loss. The weight of grief is often compounded by extreme fatigue. When someone you love dies, it feels as if your world has been upended. My world was turned upside down as I cared for my dad, who lived with mixed dementia and cancer. I coped with waves of anticipatory grief, deeply saddened to see him struggle with his health conditions.
I cherished every moment I had left with my dad. He lived his 85 years to the fullest, filling every corner of my life with his love. My dad navigated life with vibrant energy, artistic talent, humor, and kindness. I see the season of caregiving and being with him in his time of need as a gift. It provided a chance to give back to a dad who loved me so much.
In the early morning of November 12, 2022, my dear dad passed away. During his final months, I cared for him almost every night until the personal support worker arrived in the morning. In the aftermath of his passing, I realized just how much exhaustion had accumulated over those few years of caregiving.
In this post, I share some of my journey through the intense grief and fatigue that accompany the loss of a loved one. I offer suggestions for gradually finding a new balance, renewed strength, and hope while coping with both grief and fatigue.
Coping with the Weight of Grief
“In the silence of grief, we find seeds of peace and whispers of hope for renewal and strength.
Grief affects every facet of our being, impacting every aspect of life. After my dad passed away, the weight of sadness entered every fiber of my being. I couldn’t fathom living each day without him. The loss was overwhelming and touched every area of my life. I couldn’t envision what the future would look like without my dad in it. The physical and emotional fatigue from caregiving often goes unnoticed until after our loved one has passed.
It was only after my dad’s death that I became acutely aware of how emotionally and physically drained I had become. The brain fog was so thick that I struggled to think clearly or carry out everyday tasks. I needed restoration and healing but didn’t know where to start. I felt disoriented, as my mind and body reacted to the stress of the emotional journey leading up to my dad’s passing.
Grief and fatigue affect the body and mind in various ways. Physically, you might experience sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension, and a weakened immune system. Emotionally, fatigue can amplify feelings of sadness, anxiety, and guilt. The constant demands of caregiving, and the emotional strain of loss, can deplete your energy, leaving you feeling drained and disoriented.
Here are some suggestions to help you cope with grief and the fatigue that accompanies it;
Understand that What Your Feeling is Normal
Grief is a deeply personal and often overwhelming experience. It can bring a range of emotions like sadness, anger, confusion, even numbness. Recognizing that these feelings are valid and part of the grieving process is the first step toward healing. You are not alone, and what you feel right now makes sense given all you’ve been through.
Acknowledge the Fatigue That Comes With Grief
Grief doesn’t just affect your emotions, it impacts your entire body. The exhaustion you feel is a natural response to the physical and emotional toll of loss. Give yourself grace. Resting isn’t lazy or indulgent, it’s essential to your recovery.
Allow Yourself to Feel and Express Emotions
Suppressing your feelings might seem easier in the short term, but unprocessed grief can linger. Give yourself permission to cry, journal, talk, or simply sit with your emotions. There’s no “right” way to grieve, only what’s true for you.
Prioritize Rest and Sleep
Healing requires rest. When your heart is heavy and your body is tired, quality sleep becomes even more important. Create a calming nighttime routine, limit screen time before bed, and make sleep a non-negotiable part of your self-care.
Practice Gentle, Nourishing Self-Care
Grief can make even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming, but small acts of self-care matter. Eat nourishing meals, go for a walk, listen to calming music, pray or meditate. These simple rituals can help support both body and soul during hard times.
Lean on Trusted Support
You don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to those who care such as, family, close friends, or a grief support group. Surrounding yourself with people who understand can help you feel seen, heard, and less alone in your pain.
Share Your Heart and Let Others In
Talking about your loss can be incredibly healing. Whether it’s with someone you trust or through writing, expressing what’s on your heart reduces isolation. Let others carry some of the weight with you. It’s okay to lean on others when you need to.
Seek Professional Support if You Need It
Sometimes, grief can become too heavy to manage on your own. A licensed therapist or grief counselor can offer a safe space to process your loss and help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Moving Forward with Hope
Though the path through grief may feel endless, hold on to hope. In time you can rediscover a new sense of balance and hope. Moving forward with your grief isn’t about forgetting your loved one. Be gentle with yourself and recognize that this is a journey, not a destination. By taking small steps toward self-care and seeking support, you can navigate the challenges of grief.
Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward healing. Embrace the journey with patience and compassion, knowing that peace and strength will come with time.
