When the Wind Blows
It is always wise to be prepared for an emergency, especially when there is so much happening in the world and it seems like there are emergencies all around us, all the time. As doulas, we have chosen a special calling to be of service, and now is no time to be caught off guard.
Getting Yourself Out There!
It probably won’t be easy, especially if you’re starting from scratch. But nothing worth really doing is ever easy, and the good news is you have the whole community at IDLM behind you, supporting you every step of the way.
Winding Down and Winding Back Up
Whether this year is the very start of your doula career or whether it’s a new chapter in your continuing story, the work you do with your clients is going to be unique. No two doulas are the same, and no two clients are the same. The thing we all have in common is a desire to serve our clients and our communities.
Welcoming Dr Qwynn Galloway-Salazar!
Founder and CEO of In Their Honor, Dr. Galloway-Salazar leads a consulting organization that
integrates storytelling, applied theatre, and community engagement to transform how societies
care for Veterans and their families through aging, loss, bereavement, and survivorship. Her
work bridges public health, the arts, and compassionate community design to advance culturally
responsive and trauma-informed care models.
Finding Gratitude in the Hard Times
Studies have shown that taking even just a few minutes out of the day for mindfulness focused on gratitude has measurable positive effects on a person’s mental health. Whether you spend that time meditating, writing in a gratitude journal, or with someone else, sharing thoughts about what you are each grateful for, there is a very high statistical likelihood that your gratitude moments will help you to have a more positive outlook, a calmer general demeanor, and an easier time handling challenges that come your way.
Caring for the Caretakers
We all know the importance of self care. Part of client care is making sure that the people who are caring for their loved ones have the time and the opportunity to care for themselves as well, whether that means getting away for an afternoon to do some shopping or just a couple of hours to get a decent meal and a nap.
Spotlight on Catherine, Your Death Project Manager
Even for doulas, advance care plans aren’t everyone’s strong suit. But this stuff is too important not to know! Fortunately IDLM has regular advance care planning classes taught by the fabulous Miss Pam Carter, and on top of that we are proud to be partnered with the Death Project Manager, an expert in helping you get organized in preparation for end of life.
Telling Your Own Story
An obituary can be an opportunity to really tell your own or someone else’s story one last time, to put one last stamp on people’s memories and connect for a final time.
My Favorite Mantras
I don’t know how many mantras a person is allowed to have but I sure do hope it’s more than one, because I personally have at least a couple dozen, some of which I have already shared with you right here on the IDLM blog.
It May Be Routine For You, But It’s All New to Them
As a doula, you should be paying close attention to what is going on with your client families as the patient goes through their transition. The concerns they have can only be addressed if someone knows what those concerns are.
