Meet Julia Stacks: Grieve Leave's Newest Intern

At Grieve Leave, we’re always inspired by the people who choose to spend their time exploring grief with us. This season, we’re so excited to welcome Julia Stacks to our team as an intern.

​​We sat down with her to talk about what drew her to Grieve Leave, her personal connection to grief work, and what she hopes to bring to the community during her time here.

Here’s a glimpse into Julia’s story:

• Name: 
• Julia Stacks
• Age
• 22
• Where are you from?
• Aurora, CO but based out of Bristol, RI right now!
• What first drew you to grief work, and what made you want to join the Grieve Leave team specifically?-
• In the process of my own grieving journey, I was searching for a community and social media presence that was accepting of all different types of grief and helped normalize it. When I discovered Grieve Leave, it was the first non-paid community based support I found and I loved how it encompassed all the different facets of grief. In conjunction with my support group at the time, it really allowed me to feel more comfortable talking to people about my grief but also made me realize how little we talk about it and I love that GrieveLeave educates people on how to support those who are grieving. 
• We all have our own grief stories. Would you be comfortable sharing a bit about yours and how it shaped your perspective?: 
• In 2022 I lost my step cousin, Zada, to suicide and it turned my whole life upside down. Previous to this, I had lost my grandfather and the two losses were vastly different but mainly in the way that people responded to my grief. After my cousin’s loss, people were often at a loss of what to say since suicide is so stigmatized so they often didn’t say anthing at all. It was then that my passion for normalizing grief kicked off because I understood what it was like to have grieved a death that was so misinterpreted in the media but also not talked about enough. During this time, I attended a support group for survivors of suicide and although we had the same type of loss, we all had different ways of grieving and honoring our loved ones which taught me that there is no wrong way to grieve. Lastly, it changed my perspective on relationships. Those who love you will love you even when grief changes who you are and they won’t be scared of the emotional baggage you bring to the table. True friends and partners will help you in expressing your grief, honor your loved ones alongside you and be patient as explore your new reality. 
• What's your go-to sad song for a good cry session?: 
• Marjorie by Taylor Swift or Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.
• If you could create a mandatory "grief day off" activity for everyone, what would it be? 
• Bed rotting! Allowing yourself to stay in bed all day, be as gross and unshowered as you want, have an ugly cry and watch things that remind you of your loved one or that bring you comfort. 
• What's the most cringe-worthy thing someone has said to you while grieving? 
• “At least she isn’t suffering anymore.” This can definitely bring some grievers peace, but when you are grieving a suicide loss that is filled with a lot of self blame, it can be frustrating to hear because you wish you could’ve stopped the suffering while they were alive. It’s also like well I am suffering now thanks to her!
• Grief desert island scenario: You can only bring three comfort items. What makes the cut?
• Any memento of hers, such as her shirts, jewelry, pictures of her etc.
• A blanket with sunflowers on it, since she loved sunflowers.
• A lifetime supply of boba, her favorite drink!
• What's your personal grief mantra that gets you through the tough days?
• When nothing softens the grief, may the grief soften me. 
• I have survived my hardest days of grief.
• She can be found wherever I look for her. 
• It is okay to honor my grief in whichever way it demands to be felt.