NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal understanding of the grief. Some viewers may find elements of this talk to be distressing or objectionable. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...


After the love of her life died in 2011, Jennifer Mathews wondered why she wasn't devastated. How could she still be happy? She questioned herself for years, and then she began questioning the cultural expectation of grief itself. What if grief is not inevitable after all? In this personal and unconventional talk, Jen challenges us to break free from the limitations and language of a “grieving process” and change the way we think about and respond to the death of those we love. She combines life stories and tools with references to recent research on grief, opening up new possibilities for emotional wellbeing when navigating death. Jennifer Mathews is a self-proclaimed spiritual cheerleader who loves meditation as much as she loves microphones. After her beloved died in 2011, Jen became passionate about sharing life-affirming perspectives on grief and loss through her writing, workshops, and presentations. She is on a mission to shift cultural messages that hold us back from joy and to help people connect to the spirit of who they are. Jen is a founding member and active organizer of the Ashland Death Cafe and the Living/Dying Alliance of Southern Oregon. As part of the Community Outreach and Education team of the award-winning film Death Makes Life Possible, she has facilitated conversations on death, dying, and the afterlife in the US, the UK and Ireland. Jen lives in Mount Shasta, California or wherever her camper van takes her. She is unapologetic for applauding when she sees rainbows, shooting stars, or bioluminescence. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx