Mental Health - Widower Experience (WX)

The days around Christmas are often described as gentle and hopeful — a season of quiet, closeness, and reassurance. For many people, however — and especially for those working in emergency and care professions — these days can feel less like rest and more like amplification. What has been carried through the year — loss, strain, unresolved grief, inner tension — can suddenly feel heavier, like a backpack we didn’t realize we were wearing until we finally stopped moving. Holidays interrupt routines. They slow the pace. And in that slowing, memories surface. They grow louder. This is true for those who are grieving, and just as true for people who carry responsibility for others — professionally or voluntarily — often without much room for their own needs. Grief During the Holidays Is Human, Not a Disorder I’m writing this shortly after returning from a Psychosocial Emergency Support (PSNV) Training Week , followed by a peer conversation the very next day. These experiences shape my foc...

In anticipation of the upcoming Sunday, May 4th, I'm sharing my thoughts on International Firefighters' Day – May 4th. As is often the case, the English version has been completed before the German one, so here's the English version for you in advance. For many, May 4th is synonymous with Star Wars as fans around the world celebrate with the famous phrase, "May the Fourth be with you." But this day holds another, often less recognized, significance: It is International Firefighters' Day. While the holiday may be lesser known, it carries immense weight, particularly for those who dedicate their lives to protecting others through bravery and sacrifice.  The origins of this day are deeply rooted in history. In many parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, it was historically associated with St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. St. Florian, who died a martyr's death in 304 AD, represents the courage, selflessness, and duty to others that...

Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day, is an annual event that celebrates and honors the incredible work dedication of the emergency services - Mainly celebrated and established  in the United Kingdom. The day is an opportunity to recognize the selfless individuals who work tirelessly to keep our society safe and respond to emergencies when we need them the most. It is a day to show gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and bravery of the police, fire and rescue services, ambulance services, and other emergency responders. From my point of view it is an event, day and moment that holds immense importance for society and living together. It is a day dedicated to honoring the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of the emergency services personnel who risk their lives daily to ensure the safety and well-being of the public. This day is crucial for promoting a sense of unity, gratitude, and support within our communities and serves as a reminder of the critical rol...

While reading my blog - you might noticed that my actual job / profession is working as designer as user experience designer.  User Experience refers to more or less every thing which a person (we call them most often users) can experience when using a product, application, system, or service - and using is nothing else than communicating. It is a broad term that can cover anything from how well the user can navigate the product, how easy it is to use, how relevant the content displayed is etc - and that's what communicating is all about - easy to understand and relevant .. Having good communication skills and or working on them is a benefit in design and living - and even more important while while helping people in the medical field, challenging times,, end of life, or even while dying or while grieving. This often comes to my mind remembering when I think of two of my many professions I learned and practiced - designer (architect and web-design) and paramedic (Red Cross and Arm...