Breast cancer survivorship often includes grief — for one’s former body, lost time, altered identity, or unmet expectations. This month validates sorrow and longing as meaningful emotional responses rather than experiences to minimize or rush through.

Reading: Bittersweet, Susan Cain

Survivorship often includes grief — for the body before cancer, lost time, altered plans, fertility concerns, or a changed sense of self. Bittersweet validates sadness, longing, and emotional depth as meaningful and psychologically healthy responses, not weaknesses. Cain’s work helps survivors understand grief as an expression of love, attachment, and humanity, offering permission to hold both sorrow and meaning without rushing toward forced positivity.

Content Notes: Grief, loss, sadness
Emotional Intensity: Moderate
Participant Note:
This month centers emotional honesty and may feel validating for those processing loss or complex emotions.