252- Widow Goal #5: Don't Be Surprised by Anxiety

Anxiety can show up in grief when you least expect it—even if you’ve never struggled with anxiety before. In this solo episode, Michelle Bader Ebersole continues her *Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse* mini-series with a conversation about anxiety after loss. Michelle shares how anxiety showed up for the first time after her husband Luke died and how trauma can cause our bodies and minds to react to situations years later as though the loss is happening all over again. Through personal stories, practical tools, and Scripture, Michelle reminds widows that anxiety after loss isn’t something to be ashamed of or surprised by. She shares grounding techniques, the importance of having trusted people to call, and ways to recognize the fearful thoughts that can quickly spiral into worst-case scenarios. Michelle also talks about the fear that can come with loving again—including her own fear of becoming widowed a second time when she became engaged to Joel. At the center of the conversation is Philippians 4:6–7 and the reminder that when fear feels overwhelming, we can bring what we’re carrying to God. - Why anxiety can appear for the first time after losing your spouse - How trauma can make a fear feel physically real - Michelle’s first experience with anxiety after Luke died - How witnessing death can affect the nervous system long afterward - A later experience in downtown Portland that unexpectedly brought Michelle back to the trauma surrounding Luke’s death - Grounding techniques for bringing yourself back into the present - How automatic negative thoughts can turn one fear into an entire worst-case story - Why health concerns and fears surrounding our children can become especially intense after loss - The importance of identifying people you can call when anxiety spikes - Philippians 4:6–7 and using prayer and thanksgiving when fear takes over - The fear of loving again after widowhood - Michelle’s fear of being widowed twice when she became engaged to Joel - Practical steps for responding to anxiety instead of allowing it to control you Join the Widow Goals Online Community and get Michelle’s Widow Goals Course **use code podcast for a free month** Learn More About Michelle’s Widow Coaching Program Here Click Here to Register for the Widow Goals Fall Retreat Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program  Click HERE to order Michelle’s book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your Spouse Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Click HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader Guide Click HERE to apply to be a Widow Goals Group Leader Follow Hayley's Parent Loss Goals Ministry Here on IG⁠ ⁠Here on FB⁠ Click here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more  Click HERE to review Widow Goals on Amazon Go here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michelle on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **Follow me on Instagram** ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon\_/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ **See my videos on Youtube** ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠