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- How Donna Kendrick rebuilt after sudden loss
How Donna Kendrick rebuilt after sudden loss
When everything changed, she made a promise to keep going.
When Donna Kendrick’s husband died suddenly, her life was split in two. With three kids and a brand-new home, she made a quiet vow by a backyard fire: this would not be the end of her story.
I think a lot about how we hold ourselves together when life completely unravels. Donna’s story isn’t just about loss. It’s about what you do with what’s left. She didn’t get stuck in the grief, but she didn’t run from it either. She moved through it with purpose — for her kids, for herself, and now for others who feel alone in the mess of it all.
THREE things to think about:
Redefine strength. Real strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s getting out of bed, folding laundry, and telling your kids the truth, even when it hurts.
Build from what’s broken. Purpose doesn’t come before pain. Sometimes, the work that changes us most begins after everything falls apart.
Let others in. Healing isn’t a solo mission. Finding safe people, or being one, is how we keep moving forward.
TWO things to ask yourself:
What am I still holding onto because I don’t want others to see me struggle?
Who in my life needs to hear that it’s okay to start again?
ONE thing to try this week:
Reach out to someone who’s navigating a life shift. Send a text, a voice note, or a coffee invite. Just show up.
✔ Track: One intentional connection
✔ Goal: Remind someone (and yourself) that no one has to go it alone
🎙 Listen to the full conversation with Donna Kendrick here:
www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com
PS: During a recent long weekend trip, I created a short-form podcast, “It’s Okay If…” Each episode is under three minutes long and provides a permission slip to simply be human. I’d be honored if you subscribed to the show. New episodes are released every Wednesday at noon ET.
