Grief brings anxiety and depression issues for everyone. But what about people already dealing with mental illness?

My anxiety reached levels I didn’t know existed after losing Jim. My brain responds differently than someone who never had anxiety to begin with.

Today’s extremely special guest on The Be Ruthless Show, Kristina Bottenberg, also struggled with anxiety and depression before her losses.

Today, she shares the impact grief has had in her life, as well how she’s coping through the healing. This Faces of Grief Author shares a bit about her chapter, Unconditional Love, and why sharing her story is so important.

Kristina was born November of 1973, in Monterey California, moving just a few short months after her birth to Germany. Being that her father was in the army, they lived on the base there.

Being an Army brat, Kristina was accustomed to moving often. They spent a few years there before moving back to the U.S and finally settling in Washington state.

Growing up Kristina endured a lot of dysfunction and trauma. She persevered and throughout her early adult years had 3 beautiful, accomplished girls, one is now her guardian angel, her brightest star in the sky.

Kristina is, in fact, a grieving mother. She met her second husband Dave in 2013 and in 2014 they were married and so in love. Kristina is, in fact, a grieving widow.

She has 2 beautiful grandchildren from her angel Kenzie, and many bonus grandchildren through her late husband. She works full time in Skagit county, enjoys her work and her 3 cats, hiking, kayaking, fishing, camping with family and friends.

Kristina is taking this time to evaluate what’s important; you could lose those people that mean so much to you in the blink of an eye. And finally, Kristina is trying to learn to love herself. Life can change in ways that are so devastating, but Kristina knows there must still be beauty in living, that’s why Ishe hasn’t given up - though there are times she wants to. Even though she always will live with the grief and loss, because that will never go away, Kristina has hope it will coincide with joy.

Connect with Kristina on Facebook @KristinaAndrewsBottenberg and on Instagram at @bottenbergs

Remember that you can reach out anytime - with questions, feedback, to work with me, for referrals and resources, and just for support and connection: sam@samantharuth.com

Join the Griefhab Community:

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EVERY week PLUS EVERY holiday:

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Learn more about our ‘Meet the Author’ events:

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Learn more about Faces of Grief available this December at Healing Together Through the Holidays:

https://samantharuth.com/healing-together-through-holidays