Educator’s magazine helps normalize conversation surrounding grief

After losing her mom in 2022, Kera Sanchez felt as if the spark in her life had dimmed.

She thought the grief she was feeling would weigh on her for the rest of her life. That’s until she changed her perspective on grief.

“Over time, I learned to lean into my grief and adapt it to who I am, which transformed my journey for the better,” said Sanchez, Round Lake High School’s dean of student attendance.

It prompted Sanchez to start Get Griefy magazine, which celebrates its fourth quarterly release marking the end of its inaugural year. The magazine has reached more than 4,000 readers in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Grief is a universal experience, often whispered about and rarely an experience people talk about openly. Get Griefy aims to bring these crucial conversations to light, encouraging open and honest discussions surrounding the topic, Sanchez said.

“Our goal is to create meaningful connections, provide inspiration, and show that life after loss isn’t just possible — it can still be beautiful,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez reflects this optimistic perspective in issues of her magazine, using colorful, fun, and authentic themes to show that grief doesn’t always have to feel like a weight on one’s chest. In the past year, Get Griefy has featured stories of parents who have lost children, widows dealing with the death of a spouse, people who have lost siblings or parents, and also those navigating nontraditional forms of grief, such as job loss or divorce.

“By normalizing these conversations and making them relatable, we help readers lower their emotional walls … we blend dark humor and pop culture into our content, offering an approach that feels fresh and modern,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez even aims the content at young students to help them understand what may seem like a foreign feeling to them. Get Griefy provides a space for young audiences to learn from other people’s experiences, hear from industry professionals, and access professional care without the burden cost traditional therapy brings, she added.

“As a former classroom teacher turned dean, I know students and what makes them tick. I considered this when creating my magazine, so it is fun to read and keeps readers and followers engaged,” she said.

Visit getgriefymagazine.com to learn more.