Soul At Heart End-of-Life Doula

05/29/2026

Presence over Perfect in Death Too

Are you tired of the picture-perfect images that bombard us at every turn? I know I am. We live in a culture that is profoundly obsessed with youth and perfection. We track our steps, optimize our morning routines, and curate our living spaces to project an image of perfection over substance and a polished exterior over reality. We carefully script our major life milestones to capture a Kodak moment....

Are you tired of the picture-perfect images that bombard us at every turn? I know I am. We live in a culture that is profoundly obsessed with youth and perfection. We track our steps, optimize our …

05/22/2026

Beyond the Bedside: 5 Unexpected Benefits of an End-of-Life Doula

When most people hear the term death doula or end-of-life doula, they picture a compassionate guide sitting quietly by a bedside during someone’s final hours. While holding vigil through a final transition is sacred heartwork, it is only a fraction of what a professional doula does. The most significant impact of end-of-life doula service often occurs weeks or even months before a person's final moments....

When most people hear the term death doula or end-of-life doula, they picture a compassionate guide sitting quietly by a bedside during someone’s final hours. While holding vigil through a final tr…

05/14/2026

Circling Back with Gratitude

In an earlier post, I discussed some personal medical news that was somewhat alarming, but I knew there was more data to come. Today, that data arrived with an even greater thud than before. Today I learned that a genetic predisposition related to my heart, which I learned about in April, has already caused damage, as confirmed today, and is progressing....

Discover Carolynn's personal journey navigating genetic heart issues, healthcare struggles, and the importance of self-advocacy. Join the conversation!

05/12/2026

The Evolving Practice of the Doula: From Companion to Care Manager

Even though the "End-of-Life Doula" profession is relatively new in its modern form, the landscape is shifting rapidly. We are broadening our perspective as we better understand the diverse needs in the communities we serve. We are discovering vast care gaps and beginning to better understand the enormous burdens of costs associated with death and funeral models most prevalent in the US today....

Discover the evolving role of End-of-Life Doulas as they adapt to meet the diverse needs of families navigating healthcare complexities.

05/05/2026

I've been thinking a lot about contentment lately. As I look back, I realize how wildly underrated contentment can be, and admittedly, I underestimated it too until I began to unwind in retirement and experience the state of un-busyness. I realize now that there were times of less-than-optimal decision-making when I felt compelled to pursue “more.”
I am now deeply aware of how living contentedly aligns with a philosophy of living more lightly on this earth. I am finding much peace these days in simplicity and in 'enough,' rather than constantly striving for more, bigger, better. This sense of 'enough' allows me to tread more gently, consume much less, repurpose in ways I had not thought of before, and truly appreciate the abundance already present.
In end-of-life work, there is often a natural and necessary stripping away of the nonessential, a heartfelt return to the basics, and what truly matters. Contentment often surfaces during these times, not as resignation, but as a deep knowing, acceptance with gratitude, and peace with life as it has been and is. It's a powerful reminder that living with contentment at our core isn't just about the end of life, but about living fully and being satisfied throughout the whole journey. I wish I had known this sooner. For more thoughts on this topic, visit: contentmentconversation.com

05/04/2026

Renewal as Refreshment – Legacy as Gift

The last few weeks have been a period of intentional quiet—a time to step back, "fill the cup," and simply be. It is amazing how a little space can transform the soul. I return to this space today not just with a rested body, but with a renewed spirit and a deepened energy for the work that lies ahead. In the stillness, my thoughts kept returning to the concept of…...

Explore the transformative power of legacy and purposeful living in this reflective piece about embracing intentionality and renewal.

04/27/2026

04/13/2026

When the Lens is Aimed at You: Practicing What I Preach

The email landed with a thud, not in my inbox, but somewhere deep in my gut. A critical diagnosis. My diagnosis. For years, I’ve sat with others as they navigate these waters, the End-of-Life Doula, the gatekeeper of sorts between the known and the unknown. Suddenly, the lens has turned around, and I’m staring at my own reflection, no longer the guide but the one embarking on the journey....

Join Carolynn as she embarks on a profound personal journey of self-reflection and legacy amidst a life-altering diagnosis. Discover what truly matters.

04/01/2026

Thinning the Bucket List: Finding Freedom in Letting Go

Hello out there, I am enjoying a gentle late-season snowfall, knowing that whatever amount accumulates will not last. I love spring. Suddenly, planning the garden can transition from the abstract in my mind to an active planning stage. I am also a sucker for the idea of spring cleaning, clearing the cobwebs, and swabbing the decks, which fits perfectly with my current legacy focus: What Matters Most....

Rediscover what truly matters by thinning your bucket list and embracing a simpler, curated life filled with meaningful experiences.

02/13/2026

Shaping Legacy and Centering on Quality of Life

Hello friends, We have talked about the first 48 hours after a diagnosis and creating the sanctuary space, but what happens in the weeks or months that follow? This is the period where the medical and care-giving routines have been established, but the "active" dying stage has yet to begin. These are the bonus hours, days, and weeks. For some families this may be a time of uncertainty....

Hello friends, We have talked about the first 48 hours after a diagnosis and creating the sanctuary space, but what happens in the weeks or months that follow? This is the period where the medical …