Consider Yourself Lucky https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com Talking about grief, loss, widowhood and what comes after.

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:40:28 -0300 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Education 1440 episodic Melissa Yakaback Melissa Yakaback No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/19805663/Copy_of_Consider_Yourself_Lucky_2000_x_2000_px_1600_x_1600_px_1400_x_1400_px_1400_x_1400_px_a1io0.jpg Consider Yourself Lucky https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com 144 144 EP 13 - Passwords, Wills & Funeral Wishes: What Every Couple Needs To Do Now EP 13 - Passwords, Wills & Funeral Wishes: What Every Couple Needs To Do Now https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-13-passwords-wills-funeral-wishes-what-every-couple-needs-to-do-now/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-13-passwords-wills-funeral-wishes-what-every-couple-needs-to-do-now/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:40:28 -0300 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/90c19335-8f1d-3633-bb37-1fb909417a20 In this episode, Melissa discusses the importance of having difficult conversations about end-of-life wishes, legal preparations, and financial planning to reduce stress and ensure wishes are respected during emergencies.

Be Prepared Checklist

]]> In this episode, Melissa discusses the importance of having difficult conversations about end-of-life wishes, legal preparations, and financial planning to reduce stress and ensure wishes are respected during emergencies.

Be Prepared Checklist

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 1422 13 full EP 12 - These Things Saved Me In Early Grief EP 12 - These Things Saved Me In Early Grief https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/these-things-saved-me-in-early-grief/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/these-things-saved-me-in-early-grief/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/42acb3de-97fb-3214-9ecd-ad2a6f94f68e In this episode, Melissa Yakaback shares her personal journey through early grief, highlighting three key strategies that helped her cope. She emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions, finding community support, and embracing self-care routines. Melissa reflects on her experiences as a widow with young children and how connecting with others in similar situations has been transformative. She also discusses the significance of maintaining routines and self-care practices to foster resilience and healing during difficult times.

]]> In this episode, Melissa Yakaback shares her personal journey through early grief, highlighting three key strategies that helped her cope. She emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions, finding community support, and embracing self-care routines. Melissa reflects on her experiences as a widow with young children and how connecting with others in similar situations has been transformative. She also discusses the significance of maintaining routines and self-care practices to foster resilience and healing during difficult times.

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 672 12 full EP 11 - Year Two Widow Reflections: Is It Worse Than The First EP 11 - Year Two Widow Reflections: Is It Worse Than The First https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/year-two-widow-reflections-is-it-worse-than-the-first/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/year-two-widow-reflections-is-it-worse-than-the-first/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/dfa84eed-a2bd-38a0-af3d-f53d32bffad5 In this episode, Melissa reflects on her journey through grief in the second year after her husband's passing. She shares insights on the emotional shifts from survival to embracing a new reality, the complexities of finding joy amidst guilt, and the importance of living life fully despite loss. Melissa emphasizes that everyone's grief journey is unique and encourages listeners to focus on happiness and gratitude as they navigate their own experiences.

 

]]> In this episode, Melissa reflects on her journey through grief in the second year after her husband's passing. She shares insights on the emotional shifts from survival to embracing a new reality, the complexities of finding joy amidst guilt, and the importance of living life fully despite loss. Melissa emphasizes that everyone's grief journey is unique and encourages listeners to focus on happiness and gratitude as they navigate their own experiences.

 

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 708 11 full EP 10 - What NOT To Say To A Widow In Early Grief And How You Can Help Instead EP 10 - What NOT To Say To A Widow In Early Grief And How You Can Help Instead https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-10-what-not-to-say-to-a-widow-in-early-grief-and-how-you-can-help-instead/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-10-what-not-to-say-to-a-widow-in-early-grief-and-how-you-can-help-instead/#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:23:56 -0300 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/7ca63f6f-3d6b-3207-81b6-3ad1333de813 In this episode, Melissa Yakaback discusses the complexities of early grief, particularly focusing on what not to say to a widow and how to provide meaningful support. She emphasizes that grief is a unique journey for everyone, often lasting longer than societal norms suggest. Melissa shares common phrases that are unhelpful to grieving individuals and offers practical advice on how to support them effectively, including the importance of showing up, listening, and remembering the deceased. She highlights the need for long-term support and practical help, especially for young widows with children.

 

]]> In this episode, Melissa Yakaback discusses the complexities of early grief, particularly focusing on what not to say to a widow and how to provide meaningful support. She emphasizes that grief is a unique journey for everyone, often lasting longer than societal norms suggest. Melissa shares common phrases that are unhelpful to grieving individuals and offers practical advice on how to support them effectively, including the importance of showing up, listening, and remembering the deceased. She highlights the need for long-term support and practical help, especially for young widows with children.

 

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 1109 10 full EP 9 - 8 Things I Wish I Knew About Kids and Grief EP 9 - 8 Things I Wish I Knew About Kids and Grief https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-9-8-things-i-wish-i-knew-about-kids-and-grief/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-9-8-things-i-wish-i-knew-about-kids-and-grief/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:27:48 -0300 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/a5c40549-f90b-386e-b757-ef020f5acef4 In this episode, Melissa Yakaback shares her personal journey of navigating grief as a widow with three children. She discusses the unique ways each child processes loss and offers practical advice for other parents facing similar challenges. From honest communication about death to maintaining routines and creating safe spaces for grief, Melissa emphasizes the importance of emotional honesty and community support in helping children cope with the loss of a parent.

 

]]> In this episode, Melissa Yakaback shares her personal journey of navigating grief as a widow with three children. She discusses the unique ways each child processes loss and offers practical advice for other parents facing similar challenges. From honest communication about death to maintaining routines and creating safe spaces for grief, Melissa emphasizes the importance of emotional honesty and community support in helping children cope with the loss of a parent.

 

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 1148 9 full Ep 8 - Dating as a Widow: Your Questions Answered Ep 8 - Dating as a Widow: Your Questions Answered https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-8-dating-as-a-widow-your-questions-answered/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-8-dating-as-a-widow-your-questions-answered/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:30:12 -0300 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/1ccd88bc-9c67-3bd9-905a-f2463af45c56 In this episode, Melissa Yakaback delves into the complexities of dating as a widow, addressing the emotional challenges, societal judgments, and personal growth that accompany this journey. She shares her experiences, insights, and advice on navigating the dating landscape while honoring past relationships and embracing new possibilities.

 

]]> In this episode, Melissa Yakaback delves into the complexities of dating as a widow, addressing the emotional challenges, societal judgments, and personal growth that accompany this journey. She shares her experiences, insights, and advice on navigating the dating landscape while honoring past relationships and embracing new possibilities.

 

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 2128 8 full EP 7 - Updates and Reliving Early Grief EP 7 - Updates and Reliving Early Grief https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-7-updates-and-reliving-early-grief/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-7-updates-and-reliving-early-grief/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:24:07 -0300 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/c2def5b6-c4cc-3559-81bc-723766fac7a0 In this episode of 'Consider Yourself Lucky', Melissa Yakaback shares her commitment to being more consistent with her podcast, reflecting on her journey through grief and the importance of community support.

 

]]> In this episode of 'Consider Yourself Lucky', Melissa Yakaback shares her commitment to being more consistent with her podcast, reflecting on her journey through grief and the importance of community support.

 

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 296 7 full EP 6 - Reflections On My First Year Of Grief EP 6 - Reflections On My First Year Of Grief https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-6-reflections-on-my-first-year-of-grief/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-6-reflections-on-my-first-year-of-grief/#comments Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:10:56 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/d54456d1-64bc-376b-8324-7baaec9c71cc Sharing the good, the bad, and everything in between and how we commemorated my husbands 1 year anniversary.

]]> Sharing the good, the bad, and everything in between and how we commemorated my husbands 1 year anniversary.

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 1346 6 full EP 5 - The Month of December is Harder Than Expected EP 5 - The Month of December is Harder Than Expected https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/the-month-of-december-is-harder-than-expected/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/the-month-of-december-is-harder-than-expected/#comments Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:33:49 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/7f2e4df3-56e2-3630-8952-6237e77afed0 On top of our first Christmas without my husband, a whole layer of triggers has been added and I wasn't anticipating that.

]]> On top of our first Christmas without my husband, a whole layer of triggers has been added and I wasn't anticipating that.

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 456 5 full EP 4 - How I Am Approaching The Holidays As A New Widow EP 4 - How I Am Approaching The Holidays As A New Widow https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-4-how-i-am-approaching-the-holidays-as-a-new-widow/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-4-how-i-am-approaching-the-holidays-as-a-new-widow/#comments Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:48:39 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/2ecc20a9-3efe-3c72-8b80-dc979f7731de Sharing with you how I am approaching my first holiday season as a widow.

]]> Sharing with you how I am approaching my first holiday season as a widow.

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 572 4 full EP 3 - Sharing My Husband's Celebration of Life Speech EP 3 - Sharing My Husband's Celebration of Life Speech https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-3-sharing-my-husbands-celebration-of-life-speech/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/ep-3-sharing-my-husbands-celebration-of-life-speech/#comments Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:33:07 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/20471871-1e57-3790-b698-bc7a4c683fc9 Sharing the speech I wrote for my husband's Celebration of Life.

]]> Sharing the speech I wrote for my husband's Celebration of Life.

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 725 3 full EP 2 - How I Became A Widow EP 2 - How I Became A Widow https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/how-i-became-a-widow-ep-2/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/how-i-became-a-widow-ep-2/#comments Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:16:39 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/45dc1541-6898-31f5-8b75-239c3e50bffd Sharing my story today about how my husband died and I became a widow.

]]> Sharing my story today about how my husband died and I became a widow.

]]> Melissa Yakaback false No 1140 2 full Welcome to Consider Yourself Lucky Welcome to Consider Yourself Lucky https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/welcome-to-consider-yourself-lucky/ https://melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/e/welcome-to-consider-yourself-lucky/#comments Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:49:19 -0400 melissayakabacksd.podbean.com/97f87334-f78d-3739-8aab-ba929880517c Talking about grief, loss and what happens after.

This intro episode is sharing what you can expect from the podcast moving forward.

]]> Talking about grief, loss and what happens after.

This intro episode is sharing what you can expect from the podcast moving forward.

]]> melissayakabacksd false No 128 1 full