In this episode of Taboo 2 Talked About, I’m opening up about a topic that we don’t often talk about: grief and loss. For many of us, it's uncomfortable, sometimes even taboo, to speak openly about these emotions. But today, I’m sharing my personal story of saying goodbye to my dog, Velma, and how that experience shaped the way I view grief and honouring those we’ve lost.

One technique that helped me through this difficult time is something I call "negative reflection." It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s about imagining the worst-case scenarios to remind ourselves of how precious our present moments are. With Velma, it made me appreciate every little thing about her while she was still here. And it’s a practice I now carry into other relationships, especially with my grandson. By facing the potential for loss, I’ve learned to live with a deeper sense of gratitude and presence.

In this episode, I explore how we can honour our grief, not as something to avoid, but as something to integrate into our lives. Loss has a way of fostering growth if we allow it, and it can even lead us to joy and resilience. Our pets, like Velma, teach us invaluable lessons about gratitude, patience, and unconditional love. Their memory can inspire us to become better, more grounded versions of ourselves.

I also reflect on how these moments of grief, while painful, offer us a unique opportunity to live more fully. The pain of loss doesn’t have to hold us back; it can propel us forward, helping us to find new ways to honour those we’ve lost and the lessons they’ve given us. So, let’s talk about grief—not just as an ending, but as an essential part of living authentically and with purpose.

About Janet:

Janet Simpson MBACP (Accred.), PGCE, BSc. (Hons) Counselling Adults & Couples, Child Counselling (Cert), Psychosexual (Cert)

Janet is a UK based Relationship Therapist & Sex Talk Educator. Her first profession was in teaching. Janet's work is influenced by her experiences as an adoptee, being a partner of a porn & sex addict and her love of children.
Janet has worked as a Child Counsellor in primary schools, adult counsellor at Alder Hey Hospital (Staff Clients and child bereaved parents) and a School Safeguarding Supervisor.

Janet brings this wealth of expertise into her Therapy & bespoke Sex Talk Education training for parents & professions around Relationships, Porn Awareness, Intimacy and Sex Talk Confidence & Competency.

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