Tammy’s Toolkit: The Grief Survival Shelf

Welcome to the resource library I wish someone handed me when grief came barging in. These are the apps that keep me sane, podcasts and tv shows that make me feel less alone, and the calm-and-cozy things that make meltdowns slightly less dramatic. 

None of this is sponsored, it’s just my real-life go-to stash for navigating the waves of grief.



📱APPS I LOVE
Not another folder of forgotten downloads, these are the few apps that actually earn their space on my home screen.

How We Feel
Because ‘fine’ isn’t a feeling.
 
Feels like someone handed you a mirror, without judgement, and said, “Hey, what’s really going on in there?” 

This app is your daily check-in tool. Tap how you’re feeling, maybe add a little note, and watch how your emotions ebb and flow. It’s simple, but powerful. Helps you see patterns, track mood shifts, and take ownership of your inner landscape.

The Chani App
Soulful Practices That Help Steady You.
 
If you’re looking for something deeper to lean on between our sessions, I recommend the CHANI App. 

It blends astrology, meditation, and mindfulness to help you feel more grounded and connected. And listen, I know astrology isn’t for everyone. But honestly? The curated meditations in this app are ahhhh-mazing and worth it all on their own. They’ve been such a nourishing anchor for me, especially on the heavier days.




🎙️ Podcasts Worth Your Time
Conversations and stories that feel like a deep exhale when you need it most.
Nothing Much Happens
Sleep stories for the overthinker.
 
Nothing Much Happens gives your mind permission to ease up. Soft bedtime stories with cozy voiceovers and gentle scenes where little happens but something shifts. Great for nights when sleep feels like a myth. Just settle in, listen, and let the quiet take over.

Love Liberates
Not a podcast, but a blog I wrote that may resonate.
 
If you're navigating the death of a loved one and your heart is feeling heavy, this post might offer a little breath. In “Love Liberates — How to Love & Let Go,” I explore the delicate space between holding on and releasing... inviting you to trust that love is big enough to let go without losing meaning.



📺 Screen Stories That Get It
Stories that hold grief with honesty, humour, and heart — reminding us we’re not as alone as we sometimes feel.

Grief, but Make It Relatable
For when you need to see loss reflected back in ways that are tender, funny, or unexpectedly healing.
 
After Life (Netflix)
Ricky Gervais at his best — raw, irreverent, and deeply human. A masterclass on honesty through grief, with just enough biting humour to keep your heart afloat.

Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist (Prime Video)
Grief, but make it musical. A young woman suddenly hears people’s inner feelings through song — leading to laugh-cry moments that sneak up on you.

Fleabag (Prime Video)
Sharp, darkly funny, and painfully relatable. A brilliant look at grief, loss, and self-sabotage that somehow makes you laugh while breaking your heart.

Ted Lasso (Apple+)
On the surface, it’s about soccer. Really, it’s about hope, heartbreak, and navigating divorce halfway around the world. Optimistic, but not saccharine.

Smart & Comforting
Because sometimes you just need warmth, laughter, or proof that reinvention is possible.
 
Somebody, Somewhere (HBO / Crave)
A tender, funny series about finding belonging in unexpected places. Bridget Everett shines as a woman in Kansas navigating grief, identity, and chosen family. Quietly life-affirming.

Queer Eye (Netflix)
Five fabulous humans helping people (and us) feel seen, stylish, and loved. Joy on screen.

Shrinking (Apple+) 
Jason Segel and Harrison Ford make therapy hilarious and healing. Proof that growth is messy, but worth it.

Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Two women start over in their 70s after their husbands leave them… for each other. Proof that reinvention (and deep friendship) is always on the table.

The Bear (FX / Disney+)
Chaotic, brilliant, and oddly comforting. A story about grief, ambition, and found family… plus food that’ll make you cry.




✨ Calm + Cozy
Comfort items and sanity-savers that make midlife feel more manageable... and oftentimes even beautiful.
Kyrgies Slippers
Ethically made, sweatpants-approved.
 
Handmade by women artisans in Kyrgyzstan, these wool slippers are like a cozy hug for your feet. Ethically made, breathable, and built to last — they’re a feel-good purchase in every way. Perfect for padding around the house feeling put-together (even in sweatpants).


Saje diffuser
Therapy, but make it scented.
 
Because nothing says “I’m taking care of myself” like your home smelling like a spa. I rotate scents seasonally — citrus in summer, grounding woodsy blends in winter — so my space always feels intentional and calm. It’s simple, pretty, and a ritual that tells my nervous system: we’re safe here.