Grief Playlist Worksheet Grief Playlist
Exploring the rhythms of your heart after loss.
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
The Song of Grief
Grief isn't like a straight line; it's more like a playlist that switches songs unexpectedly. Some days the music is loud and heavy, and other days it's quiet and slow. There is no "right" way to feel or a specific time when the song should end. Today, let's look at the different "tracks" playing in your life.
1. The "Heavy Bass" Days
When grief feels really heavy or loud, what does it feel like in your body? (Example: heavy chest, tired eyes, shaky hands)
2. Unexpected Shuffles
Have you ever felt "okay" one minute and then suddenly sad or angry the next? What was a moment recently when your "song" changed without warning?
Your "Comfort Track"
You mentioned that listening to music helps you. Think of one specific song that makes you feel safe, calm, or understood.
Song Title & Artist:
What lyric or sound stands out to you most?
"Music can say the things that
3. Non-Linear Thinking
Some people think grief gets "smaller" every day, but sometimes it just feels like we get "stronger" at carrying it. How do you feel about the idea that there is no "finish line" for missing someone?
Healing Harmony Series | Lesson 1: Rhythms of Grief
Waves of Feeling Organizer Waves of Feeling
Understanding the ebb and flow of grief
Grief isn't a staircase where you move up one step at a time. It's more like the ocean . Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes a big wave comes out of nowhere. Both are normal.
High Tide
When grief feels overwhelming or "big."
What triggers a "big wave" for you? (a smell, a song, a holiday?)
How do you usually react when a wave hits?
Low Tide
When things feel quieter or more "normal."
What activities help bring you to a "low tide" state?
Is it okay to feel happy or laugh during low tide? Why or why not?
Staying Afloat
When the waves get too high, what is one "anchor" (a person, a hobby, a thought) that helps keep you from drifting away?
Healing Harmony | Lesson 1 Name: __________________________
Heart to Heart Discussion Guide Heart to Heart
Discussion Guide for Grandma and Student
Facilitator Note
This guide is meant to facilitate a safe, open conversation between the student and her grandmother. Moving to a new home after a tragedy is a huge transition. These prompts are designed to build trust and acknowledge the shared loss of a brother/grandson.
Phase 1: Checking In
Q: "We've both had a lot of changes lately. On a scale of 1-10, how 'loud' has your grief felt this week?"
Q: "What is one thing about living here with Grandma that feels okay, and one thing that feels really hard?"
Phase 2: Shared Memories
Q: "What is a funny story about [Brother's Name] that Grandma might not know?"
Q: "Grandma, what was one of your favorite things about seeing [Brother's Name] and [Student's Name] together?"
Phase 3: Moving Forward Together
Q: "What can Grandma do to support you when you're having a 'High Tide' grief day?"
Q: "How can we make sure we keep [Brother's Name]'s memory alive in this house?"
Conversation Notes / Reflections:
Healing Harmony | Lesson 1: Discussion Guide
Volume Control Worksheet Volume Control
Mapping the intensity of your emotions
Name: _________________
Sometimes emotions like anger , guilt , or sadness feel like someone turned the volume up to 10. It can feel deafening. Other times, they are like background noise—you know they're there, but you can still function. Let's look at how these "volume settings" feel for you.
Anger
When the volume is at a 10, I feel...
A healthy way I can "turn it down" is...
Guilt
When I feel guilty, my "volume" usually hits a...
Guilt can be tricky. It often tells us things that aren't true after an accident.
One truth I can tell myself is...
Sadness
Sadness feels like...
Who can I talk to when the sadness feels too quiet or lonely?
Healing Harmony | Lesson 2: Tuning Into Emotions
Healthy Release Organizer Healthy Release
Finding safe ways to let your feelings out
Bottling up emotions is like shaking a soda bottle—eventually, the pressure gets too high and it explodes. Healthy release means opening the cap just a little bit at a time. Let's explore different outlets that work for you.
The Power of Sound
You mentioned music helps. How do you use it to release?
Listening to sad songs when I'm sad
Listening to loud/fast music when I'm angry
Singing/humming to calm down
Other ways I use music:
Physical Release
Grief can get stuck in our bodies. How can you move it out?
Going for a walk/run
Stretching or yoga
Squeezing a stress ball or pillow
I like to move my body by:
Creative Release
Sometimes we need to draw or write what we can't say.
Doodling/Journaling
Making a collage of memories
Writing letters to my brother
My creative outlet is:
Verbal Release
Talking to others can lighten the load.
Venting to a trusted friend
Talking to Grandma or a mentor
Prayer or quiet meditation
Who I feel safest talking to:
My Top Three
Which three activities will you try this week when feelings get "loud"?
Healing Harmony Series Name: __________________________
Letter to My Feelings Activity Expressive Writing
Letter to My Feelings
"Sometimes we need to speak directly to the parts of us that hurt. Imagine your feelings are guests in your house—give them a name, and say what you need to say."
Dear (choose an emotion like Anger, Guilt, or Sadness),
What I want you to know today is...
Sincerely, ____________________
How did it feel to put those feelings into words? Did the "volume" change at all?
Sound Check Worksheet Sound Check
Finding your voice with family and friends
The Static
Barriers that make it hard to talk.
"I don't want to make them sad."
When do you feel like you have to hide your feelings to protect others?
"They don't understand."
Is there something about your grief that feels like nobody else "gets"?
The Clear Channel
Ways to make communication easier.
Using "Music Code"
If you can't find words, could you send a song to Grandma to show her how you feel?
Setting Boundaries
What is one thing you wish friends would STOP saying or doing right now?
Connecting at Grandma's
Living in a new place means finding new ways to talk. If you had a "magic microphone" and could tell Grandma one thing about how you're feeling today, without feeling embarrassed or worried, what would you say?
Healing Harmony | Lesson 3 Name: __________________________
Support Crew Map Organizer Support Crew Map
Identifying the people who help you stay in harmony
Even solo artists have a backup band and a road crew. You don't have to carry your grief alone. Let's map out the people in your life who can support you in different ways.
Community & Friends
Extended Family / Mentors
YOU & INNER CIRCLE
Grandma
A Safe Teacher
Other Family
Best Friend
Sports/Hobby Team
The Listener
Someone I can talk to when I'm sad.
The Distractor
Someone who helps me have fun.
The Helper
Someone who helps with school/life.
Healing Harmony Series | Lesson 3 Name: __________________________
Opening Up Discussion Cards Opening Up
Discussion Cards & Sentence Starters
"Sometimes the hardest part of talking is knowing how to start the first sentence. These cards give you 'opening lyrics' for difficult conversations."
For Grandma
"I'm having a 'High Tide' day. Can we just sit together for a bit?"
"I was thinking about [Brother's Name] today and I felt ___________."
"I need some space/quiet time right now. It's not because I'm mad at you."
For Friends
"Thanks for asking, but I don't really want to talk about it today."
"Can we just talk about normal stuff? I need a break from thinking."
"I'm feeling kind of 'off' lately. I appreciate you sticking by me."
For Mentors/Teachers
"I'm having a hard time focusing because things are heavy at home."
"Could I have a few extra days on this? I'm struggling with everything."
"Is there a quiet place I can go if I feel like I'm going to cry?"
For Yourself
"It's okay that I feel this way. I'm going through something huge."
"I don't have to be 'strong' for everyone else all the time."
"I am allowed to feel happy today, even though I miss him."
My Own Sentence Starters:
Healing Harmony | Lesson 3: Discussion Cards
Memory Box Project Guide The Memory Box
A project to hold what matters most
Project Goal
A memory box is a safe place to store items that remind you of your brother. It’s not just about the past; it’s about having a physical place to go when you want to feel connected to him. You can decorate it to reflect his personality and yours.
1 Find Your Box
Look for a sturdy box (shoe box, wooden box, or photo box). It doesn't have to be fancy—you're going to make it special.
2 Decorate the Outside
Use photos, stickers, fabric, or paint. Think about his favorite colors, hobbies, or inside jokes you shared.
What to Put Inside:
Photos of happy times
Small objects (a toy, a rock, a keychain)
Tickets from a movie or event you went to
A piece of his favorite clothing
Notes or drawings you make for him
The "Secret Note"
Sometimes we have things we want to say that feel too private for a worksheet. Write a letter to your brother and place it at the very bottom of the box. Nobody has to read it but you.
Writing Prompts for Your Note:
"I promise I will never forget the time we..."
"One thing I wish I could tell you right now is..."
"Since you've been gone, I've learned that I am..."
My Memory Box Plan:
WHERE WILL I KEEP IT?
FIRST 3 ITEMS TO GO INSIDE:
Healing Harmony | Lesson 4: Memory Box Project
New Notes Worksheet New Notes
Finding meaning and signs of growth
Name: _________________
Healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means learning to live a "new normal" while still carrying your brother's memory with you. Like a remix of a favorite song, your life has changed, but you are finding new notes to play.
Signs of Healing
Think back to a few months ago. What is one small thing that feels slightly "easier" now than it did right after the accident? (Example: sleeping better, being able to laugh at a joke, talking about him without crying every time)
Your Strength
What have you learned about yourself since you moved in with Grandma? What is a strength you didn't know you had?
Finding Meaning
If you could take one good quality from your brother (his kindness, his laugh, his curiosity) and "carry it forward" in your own life, which quality would it be? How will you show it to the world?
"The music continues, and you are the composer of the next verse."
Healing Harmony | Lesson 4: New Notes
Legacy Lyrics Reflection Legacy Lyrics
Closing Reflection
"Your brother's life was a song. Even though the song was cut short, the melody is still playing in you. This is your space to write the final thoughts of this journey."
Verse 1: What I've Learned
Through all these lessons, what is the most important thing you've realized about yourself or your grief?
Chorus: The Core Truth
If you had to summarize your love for your brother in one sentence, what would it be?
Outro: Looking Forward
What is one hope you have for yourself as you continue to heal at Grandma's?
Healing Harmony Final Reflection
Name: __________________________
