Bringing Yourself to the Work
It may seem at first that doula work is completely unrelated to whatever you were doing before, and that you’re starting again from scratch with no idea what you’re supposed to do. But the truth is, whatever you are bringing forward with you is something that you will be able to use as a doula.
The Value of Community Spirit
We talk a great deal about the ways we serve; the things we do for the people we assist. But it is important to take time to also consider whom we serve. We serve our clients: end-of-life patients and their families. In addition to that, as doulas, we also work to serve the communities we are a part of, whether we are currently working with individual clients or not.
The Modern Good Death
One of the most beautiful aspects of being a doula is helping people to take ownership of their own death, and helping them realize that it doesn’t need to look the way they think it’s supposed to look. It can look however they want. And as doulas, we have the privilege of helping them put it all together.
Gearing Up for 2026
The start of a new year is always a great time for new beginnings, and in 2026 the plan is for IDLM to start big and then keep getting bigger. We are so proud and grateful to be celebrating five whole years of teaching, care, and community, and we are so glad to have you here as a part of that.
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.
Playing the Long Game
In many places, death work is still not normalized. The problem isn’t that people don’t want or need the services of a death doula; it’s that they have never heard of a death doula in the first place. Nobody they know has ever hired a death doula. Why should they?
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.
