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FAMILY

“Millpond Family” is the heart and basic building block of our business. Each client we work with ends up becoming the folks that we want to cook out with, laugh and cry with, and follow along as they go through life’s big adventures. This section of the magazine is devoted to people that we want to highlight that manifest all things “family.” We want to incorporate all senses of home in the magazine whether it be highlighting an old home built on history, taking you on a tour through someone ’ s amazing kitchen, giving you the most amazing warm your belly recipes contributed by the best cooks we know, and even helping you to remember the things that really make a house a home

HOME

It is hard to know every single business that surrounds us. We want you to know about the mom and pop places that started 20 years ago, or the business of the 16 year old who just started out. We want to shine light on the people that we see shining light on others...and following their dreams while they do it!

BUSINESS GROUNDED

This section of the magazine is devoted to all things well being We want our Millpond Collective readers to have some insight into others that may help them be more in tune with their spiritual, mental, physical well being whether that be from visiting your local plant nursery, to learning about how to breathe Grounded is the broadest topic, but probably one of the most important ones of all!

EXPERIENCES OVER GIFTS

The Davis family have been long time clients with us and KNOW the importance of family, and documenting the years as they pass because they pass all too quick! When we thought about an article about "experiences over gifts" during the holidays, they were the first family to come to mind.

Carrie was nice enough to answer some of my questions about their family experiences and give some tips so you can incorporate this tradition into your family as well

SAM: Can you introduce your family to us?

Travis and Carrie – We are high school sweethearts and have been together since 10th grade, though we ’ ve actually known each other since preschool. Travis is a soil scientist and Carrie is a licensed CPA and partner in an investment firm

Nolan aspires to be an engineer some day, and a highly competitive soccer player

A L O C A L F A M I L Y S P E A K S T O T H E I M P O R T A N C E O F T I M E T O G E T H E R A S A F A M I L Y O V E R A N Y T H I N G E L S E

Corbin aspires to be a Navy pilot some day, plays highly competitve travel soccer and recently started participating in a youth wrestling program in the winter months, and is the character of the group!

Harlin aspires to be a professional dancer/choreographer and can ALWAYS be found in the dance studio, takes piano and tumbling lessons, and loves art.

SAM: Can you tell us about a tradition that your family does each year for the holidays?

CARRIE: We have a HUGE Christmas tree that we decorate in a different theme/color scheme every year. It is a big production, not only to figure out what theme we ’ re going with, but also to source all the ornaments needed to decorate the tree (either from our existing stock of ornaments or through the purchase of new ornaments). We lay out all of the ornaments we plan to use by color and style on the floor and then begin the arduous (usually day-long) process of decorating. The kids are usually really into it at the beginning, but then give up after a while. It takes a huge extension ladder to reach the top of the tree, so Travis is always prepared to “take one for the team” and decorate the top portion I also usually come up with some ambitious design for the topper and he does his best to execute. It usually involves tying things together with fishing line or otherwise engineering a solution that defies gravity and logic (and still looks good!)

SAM: What was your favorite trip/experience you have gone on as a family so far?

CARRIE: There are things about each trip that are memorable and many of our conversations during dinner, in the car, while watching tv, etc end up referring to a trip that we ’ ve been on or something that we ’ ve seen or experienced. Alaska was certainly a bucket list trip! We took a helicopter ride and landed on a glacier, where we went dog sledding at an actual dog camp where they train for the Iditarod We also went whale watching, panned for gold, and had so many other “ once in a lifetime” experiences!

SAM: Can you tell a story about a favorite trip or experience?

CARRIE: Our Virginia trip included a trip to Colonial Williamsburg where we toured the court buildings The tour guide explained that, when in court, you have to conduct yourself with “decorum” and had the kids practice sitting quietly and using good posture. It became a running joke in our family whenever we want the kids to re center, we just say “decorum” and they immediately snap into shape. That has become especially helpful when Sam and Johnney are taking pictures!

Our New Jersey trip was to Wildwood, an area on the Jersey shore that is known for their boardwalk and amusement piers (and is the complete opposite of the “beach experience” the kids were used to in the Outer Banks). While we were there, we saw someone get arrested on the beach and whenever we even mention going to New Jersey, Corbin is bound to mention the “ guy that got arrested” as a highlight.

My favorite family experience so far was in Utah We visited all five national parks in Utah, including Arches National Park, where we hiked to the famous Delicate Arch. This hike is one of the most popular things to do in Utah, so it gets very busy We had to get up around 4:30 that morning and arrived at the trailhead by 6:00 to avoid both the crowds and the heat (we visited in July) as much as possible. The trail was challenging, but I never heard a single complaint from anyone in our family and everyone worked together and encouraged one another through the entire experience. When we rounded the last curve and finally saw the Arch, the feeling was indescribable

Now, when I reflect on that day, I can’t help but get emotional: 1) because we got to see one of the most iconic sights in the world and, while there are many visitors to Arches National Park every year, we are part of only a fraction of the people on earth that will ever get to experience Delicate Arch!, and 2) because it was such an amazing experience to have as a family and one that will live on in our memories forever!

We have also had some fun and interesting accommodation experiences! In Utah, we stayed in a covered wagon In Arkansas, we stayed in a building that was once a hideout for Al Capone. In Arizona, we stayed in a cabin overlooking Monument Valley. In Michigan, we stayed at The Grand Hotel, which holds the record for the longest front porch in the world (~700 feet)

SAM: How do you suggest other families incorporating "experiences" into their holiday rituals vs. focusing on tons of presents?

CARRIE: Our “quest” to visit all 50 states started with us having no idea to get our kids for Christmas in 2018. Our kids have never really had the “gimmes” or asked for too much, so by the time Santa took care of some items on their list and grandparents/family members purchased gifts, we weren’t left with many options. Like many others today, we ’ re in a constant battle with the amount of “stuff” we have in our house at any point, and we just couldn’t stand the thought of buying “things” for the sake of having something to unwrap.

So, we decided to surprise the kids with a long weekend in New York City right before the holidays. It was expensive, yes, but by the time we quantified what we would have spent on presents for the three kids combined, it was comparable While in NYC, we visited the original Macy’s and the kids sat on the “real” Santa’s lap there. We took a carriage ride and went ice skating in Central Park, and visited Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and the 9/11 Memorial, among other activities. It was a wonderful trip! That same year, my parents gifted us Pittsburgh Steelers tickets for a game in late December, so it was awesome that we were able to “check off” a second state from their gifted experience.

After these first two experiences, we I decided that it would be so fun to try to visit all 50 states before our oldest son graduates high school Travis thought I was crazy at first, but soon came around! We had been vacationing in the Outer Banks each summer and had enjoyed several cruises and trips to Disney World, but after taking these first two trips to New York and Pennsylvania, we realized there was so much more we could learn about, experienc has also forced us to be more intentional facilitate the use of all allotted PTO each ye

SAM: Any tips for doing this that you have learned along the way?

CARRIE:

Start small and/or look nearby In our first full year of prioritizing travel, we visited 11 states and Washington, DC, and we drove to all of them except one! Many of our trips were long weekends or trips we could tack on to other engagements. For example, I had to attend a conference in Atlanta for work, so my family came along. We drove instead of flying and took a couple extra days on the way down to visit Charleston/South Carolina. There are many great opportunities for experiences and/or long weekends within a few hours’ drive!

Look for money saving opportunities and cheap/free activities. This one is a biggie! Though, we do splurge some too! As we checked off the “ easy ” states nearby, it was clear that we’d need to start traveling further distances and staying away for longer periods of time in order to visit the rest of the states, so I found several ways to save

When we need to fly, I use sites like Skycanner or Google Flights to track the prices of the flights to/from a particular destination long before we actually book. Flight schedules are released ~330 days in advance, so I start tracking prices as soon as I decide on our next destination and travel dates. This allows me to get a feel for the prices for various airlines and explore options for flying to/from different airports. Then, when the rates drop to a price I’m willing to pay, I can go ahead and purchase tickets, knowing I got the best deal. Additionally, I’ve found that flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often significantly cheaper, so it helps to track prices on various dates to see…and adjust plans accordingly

We sometimes select our accommodations based on the location and/or experience, so I’m always sure to explore all options before booking. However, when we opt for hotels, we are mostly loyal to Marriott, which allows us to accumulate loyalty points that we can redeem for future stays. In the summer of 2022, we redeemed Marriott points to stay in a hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming that would have otherwise cost $900/night

It seems obvious, but lots of famous sites are actually free to visit, only charging admission for tours or other add ons. Sometimes we pay for the “extras”, but in other cases, free is good enough!

Whenever I’m planning a trip, I use TripAdvisor to research the “best” activities in each city or location. Once I get some ideas, I research each restaurant or activity further and start looking out for sales/specials on tickets/entrance fees Many tourist sites have latched on to the “experience” phenomenon and will offer discounted tickets/entrance fees for future dates on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or at various other times

Don’t make gifts a “focus” but do make them practical. From a travel perspective, electronics such as iPads and air pods, though already a staple in many households, are great for long car or plane rides We often give our kids books from a particular genre or series they are interested in, which also helps pass the time when traveling. Additionally, we look for other travel related gifts/gadgets such as luggage, packing cubes, or other travel accessories If we know a future trip/experience requires a certain clothing item or piece of gear, we will often incorporate that into a birthday/holiday

Just do it! I think our kids started out a little skeptical of our my whole plan for traveling the country, but they quickly got on board They are always curious about where we ’ re going next and what we ’ re going to see/eat when we get there. They have had so many cultural and practical educational experiences from touring Monument Valley and learning about the Navajo people from a real Navajo guide to learning to navigate an airport better than most adults and, the benefits are so numerous. When holidays and birthdays come around, they are perfectly happy with the (somewhat) small number of gifts they receive and don’t have expectations otherwise This experience has changed us all for the better!

BACKYARD STUDIO

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We were all too excited to visit the famous backyard of Chuck Balsamo in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. We heard it was an oasis of sorts, and a place to get away and think. Little did we know that this backyard also had a uniquely designed BACKYARD STUDIO!

Chuck explained that this vision he had of a place to get away, to push through the distractions, and to make your goals happen. He came up with this state of the art and completely custom studio that puts the common "she shed" to shame.

The coolest part of Chuck's vision was not the design or the look of the studio, but his emphasis on the PEOPLE that would inhabit them, and their story Ultimately, we are all connected by our stories

We couldn't wait to share a few photos from his Backyard Studio, and can't wait to see the dreamers that will soon be receiving their custom studio, and all the dreams they reach inside of the four walls, in their backyard!

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U C K B A L S A M O G I V E S U S A T O U R O F H I S H O M E A W A Y F R O M H O M E

According to Chuck's brand new website for Backyard Studio, "the studios were created in collaboration with recognized productivity experts, architects, and builders. They have imagined us sitting at our desk, plugging in our devices, setting our lights just right, walking around on phone calls, pulling books from the library, and enjoying nature through the massive, tinted windows!"

Chuck wanted to make the studio " so attractive, the client longed to be in it, and that it would complement the client's true worth in every way. It’s like parking a Ferrari in your driveway...you keep looking out the window to see it!"

The Backyard Studio is smart enabled, so you can turn on the lights, adjust color and brightness, and set the room temperature from your device Then walk into your studio just the way you like it!

SUPPORT SMALL. LOCAL. WOMAN-OWNED.

Megan Burrows, Owner of Burrow and Vine

SAM: Where did the name Burrow and Vine come from?

MEGAN: I chose the name Burrow and Vine because of my last name is Burrow so it just sort of makes sense , but also because burrow symbolizes home I feel like bringing plants in your home helps to add life and personality. Having the combination of home and plants just works well together.

SAM: What made you want to start a small business?

MEGAN: I've always loved design, interiors, and plants. I grew up in a household that were very "plant people " I think what really did it was when I was sent home from work during the pandemic to work remotely. I knew all along, that's never what I wanted to do. I always thrived off of connections with others

W E I N T E R V I E W E D S O M E I N C R E D I B L E W O M E N T H A T M A K E U P T H E H E A R T O F # H I S T O R I C S T A U N T O N

It inspired me to be out in the world, and being at home wasn't my ideal scenario I picked up a hobby, because I knew I would not be my best self if I didn't have something to occupy my time. I started macramé and my house became more of a jungle than it already was I had all of these hobbies surrounding me and it really made me feel alive every day. I was still working from home at the time but I wasn't fulfilled That was the greatest sign that this wasn't working anymore. I had to make it happen for myself.

SAM: What challenges have you faced being a woman trying to start your own business?

MEGAN: I'm a big believer in women being able to have all the equal opportunities as everyone else It's not always as easy for them Not entirely because it's not there for them, but because they haven't really been trained or taught to believe in themselves and really take chances, and try what they want And if it doesn't work, they're not a failure. That's hard for me to say, because I'm so focused on failing every day. But I think it's just kind of become a part of women ' s DNA to just always overperform for everyone

It's been an exercise in giving myself grace, having patience accepting my challenges for opportunities of growth and learning. I think that I tend to be my own worst critic. I just see a challenge and do what I can to make the most of it and grow and learn

Megan Burrows

"Staunton is such a great community. It's a magnet for awesome people that are supportive, kind, and trying to uplift everyone. So it's it's hard to walk away from."

SAM: How does shopping small impact you as a small business owner?

MEGAN: Shopping small means that I get to be here If people weren't shopping small, whether it's my shop or others, then these buildings will be empty. We don't get to connect I would be back in a nine to five job that isn't fulfilling me to the same capacity that this is. And what kind of future is that for our children? I think they see so much potential in me that they wouldn't have seen before I think that's important I think more people need to be able to see what's possible that lives beyond what they believe is the norm.

SAM: What do you hope that your children see and learn from you having a small business?

MEGAN: Confidence. I don't have a ton of it. I hear a lot " you ' re so brave," and I love to hear it, but I still don't fully believe it Bravery to me is not this. But I guess there is a level of bravery that goes into believing in yourself and making sure that you ' re doing your best for you, your family, and your community And you ' re putting your best out there, then. Everybody's getting that.

It's tough, but I'm hoping they understand that there's more to life than just getting a paycheck, punching a timecard, having a 401k. What's a 401k if you ' re miserable every day? Having confidence, believing in themselves, and taking the action to do it, I think is huge and also hard work. Hard work looks different. It can be shoveling, or it can be at a computer screen. And I'm doing both most days.

LATITUDES FAIR TRADE

Anna Schoenduby, Owner of Latitudes

SAM: How long have you been downtown and what made you want to open the Latitudes store here?

ANNA: We have been in downtown Staunton for seven years. I previously had a job over in Charlottesville that was high stress long hours, and just not fulfilling My mom started Latitudes several years prior to that. She's had a store in Virginia for about 10 years now. I always loved what she was doing.

I thought it would be a really great location for another shop. I worked with her and finally things just worked out with the storefront financially, and I quit my job I started the store in September of 2015. It's really been a fun adventure.

SAM: Can you tell me a little bit about your store and what makes it so cool?

ANNA: Fair Trade is a really unique situation where you get to help artisans in developing countries All the products in the store are made by artisans who receive a fair living wage. It's really about trying to alleviate poverty in really poor areas of the world and show people with dignity and respect I thought that was just a really beautiful concept. I get to do something really fun with the store and these really beautiful products, and telling people's stories from across the world I get to get people excited about the stuff, the artistry, and craftsmanship.

SAM: What makes your shop different from a big box shop lik Amazon or buying online?

ANNA: I think that we provide a lot more customer service than. shopping online. A lot of people won't know what they need until they see it You have to see it and touch it and feel it and get that experience. We're always here to offer our help and support. It's really gratifying to have them leave and have to be so excited about what they found in the store for someone they love.

Shopping small has a huge impact on the community. All the dollars that come in here, they go right back to others downtown. That money stays here It really does It's what keeps our beautiful Main Street We have a really special place here

SAM: Can you speak to women in fair trade?

ANNA: I have a lot of support from the women that are blazing the trails with Fair Trade, which is awesome. Being a woman in business is tough. You certainly have to get over some hurdles. But they really are just the largest support system I feel like the fair trade world is just a big family. We meet together and we share our best practices, we share anything anybody asks for because we are of the understanding that what's good for one is good for all

Anna Schoenduby

"Business is not easy, but don't give up. Don't let a no get in the way of your dream. Just keep going. I really think that the greater the risk, the greater the reward. And I am so grateful that I took that risk. For the last seven years, I've been really happy. It gets better, but don't give up.

ESSENTIALLY ZEN

SAM: How long have you owned this business?

SHERRIE: We opened with the great timing of December 2019 We were open one month and then COVID took the world over. We were able to kind of switch gears and move online and did a really great job reaching out to family, friends, and former co workers

I was in the restaurant business for nearly 30 years all over the United States, and had made quite a few friends along the way, so in 2020 I pretty much spammed everyone in my friends list to buy their mother a Mother's Day gift from us. And it saved us! Mother's Day is very special and we ' re very excited about it every year

SAM: Can you tell us a little bit about your mom?

Sherrie Brown, Owner of Essentially Zen

SHERRIE: My mother was a serial entrepreneur. Anytime she would get an idea about something, she would write it down & brainstorm for hours. She always had several irons in the fire, so to speak, and maintained many different streams of income. My sister, Tammy, and I are both serial entrepreneurs just like her. I also own a medical courier business, and she owned a limousine business Mom passed in 2001 She has blessed me for sure Tenacity That woman would not take no for an answer. We definitely did not fall far from the tree. We are the fruits of her labor. I think about her everyday.

SAM: What made you want to start a small business?

SHERRIE: I learned how to make soap a long time ago with my grandmother, who was one of many siblings in rural Appalachia so that's how she learned I picked it back up as a hobby in 2016 2017 & I started showing my stuff on Facebook and people started saying, hey, I want to buy that. We found the space and did our business plan backwards. It took us five months to get the doors open. Once we signed our lease, we had to fill it up, we had to make things, we had to build it out. And it became this

SAM: What would you tell a young woman that wants to start a business?

SHERRIE: I would say to a young woman, starting a new business, step outside your comfort zone. That is where life is. Completely and totally scared. And to try new things. Failure is not failure, it is a lesson. It is not a reason to quit. I personally have stumbled in my life quite a few times You know what, get up, dust yourself off and be that fierce woman that you can be

"I would say to a young woman, starting a new business, step outside your comfort zone. That is where life is. Completely and totally scared And to try new things Failure is not failure, it is a lesson "

SAM: Where would you say that they should start?

SHERRIE: I would say start with a mentor. I would say find someone who does exactly what you want to do Find someone you admire and ask them all the questions Ask them the difficult questions Ask them the stupid questions Just speak raw and honestly with one another. Be able to take some criticism. Be able to change your course when you need to. Take your emotion out of your business. Don't have your heart so set on something that you can't maneuver or know that's something you might have to table.

SAM: How do you think shopping local impacts your business?

SHERRIE: Shopping local is so very important It keeps our dollars in our community It keeps the community close to one another. We're the ones paying the taxes. We're the ones that bring the tourists to our town that is just so lovely. Our town is so unique in the architecture and history. We just couldn't be anywhere better.

"Give yourself some self care. Take care of yourself, especially right now. The world is hard. Things are hard. Life is hard. But it doesn't have to be like that all the time. Pamper yourself. Make your house smell good. Get a great bath bomb full of shea butter so you feel better. The little things you don't think make that much of a difference, but it really does. Just take some time to take care of yourself and love yourself."

BLAIR MADE

Abby Woerner, Owner of Blair Made

SAM: How long have you owned this business?

ABBY: We started our business in 2017 It was just a way I was trying to offset the bills My husband was really into woodworking. We started an Etsy shop and it really just scooted out from under us.

SAM: What are you passionate about now within your business?

ABBY: I'm passionate about our business being able to support me and my family and the families of the people that work for us I absolutely love interior design More importantly, I love building a business that we can all include our family lives in.

SAM: Can you speak to being a woman starting a small business specifically in a woodworking business?

ABBY: As a woman in a business primarily work with wood, of pushback A lot of n't expect it. I remember me that I was g a brad nailer, which is that we use every day. nd was with me They g him the and he literally said, t for me, ask her." I was ned about how paint can. I'm just polite. t want to say I do this It's interesting being opening a business first hen also, especially in an hat's considered sculine industry. We employees here now, all do all of the lifting, the he everything. We had of wood where a man us and said, Oh, it's just

Where are the men that We said, " we ' ve got arms, and we ' re gonna ing unloaded." And we t would you say to a man wanting to start her ess?

ould say, first off, do rch. I think that anyone their mind to it, and s the research and the gure things out, can how to run a business. I path to getting here n't a business major. I figured it out through doing it.

SAM: What does shopping local mean to you?

ABBY: When people purchase things at our store, or when they buy things here they're supporting our families for Christmas. They're deciding whether or not we can give gift cards to USPS who work really hard for us, to the guys who we get our wood from, to all the people that support our business I'm just a messenger from what our bookkeeping says I'm not making decisions on whether or not I want to treat our employees well during the holidays. Of course I do, but I can only do what we can do based off of what our numbers tell us. When the community comes in and they purchase from us, they're putting extra toys under the tree for my daughter, they are allowing our families to save for things, and do things for their family. They're helping us individually. They're not going into these big corporations that distribute your funds who knows how, but they're directly putting back into us And we have people community as well. It's really reinvesting in the and it's a much bigger deal than others real r family and employees that matter.

BILLY OPAL

SAM: Can you tell us a little bit about how Billy Opal started?

HOLLY: We just opened up this October (2022) So it's very exciting! But I've actually been doing this business of re selling for a long time...since I was around 19 years old. I took off time when I was 30, traveled around the US and figured out if I wanted to continue doing this When I found Staunton, I couldn't picture any better place to do it.

We found Staunton. on Google Maps Believe it or not, my husband zoomed in on Google Maps and we were like, This place looks so cool. It's near like the Shenandoah Valley. We love hiking. The town itself is really cute From the first day we visited Staunton, the next month we got a. house here. We got this place for rent and now it's been a year later.

Holly Hillman, Owner of Billy Opal

SAM: How do you feel like the community's received Billy Opal so far?

HOLLY: I love this community I feel like I already know a lot of people I just went to dinner with a couple of the ladies that I met in here as customers. I'm already making friends, which is something I wasn't expecting quiet at first. Everybody has been so welcoming. A customer brought us cookies the other day. Their card said, "Welcome to the neighborhood" That was so cute

SAM:

HOLLY: At the time, I was getting out of school early in high school for a work release program. I went to this consignment shop that was next to a library in downtown Valdosta, Georgia. I wrote my resume on a post it note and just didn't think anything of it. That weekend, I got a call that said, "Hey, if you want the job come in." So I threw my hair up and went in. I was starting college at VSU and I'd been there for six weeks at the time The person I worked for at Anastasia's called me and said, Hey, I'm selling my store If you ' re interested in it, let me know I was already going to school to be entrepreneur and I knew I wanted to do something like it. I just never thought the person that worked for and the place I worked at the time was the opportunity. So I called my mom and dad and told them I wanted to own a business. They said, "One day, sweetie, you can do anything you put your mind to" I responded with, "That day is today Like, I need to do it today" I had to get my parents to sign on it because I was 19 So, that's it, I got the business, owned it when I was 19. I sold it when I was 30. Traveled the world. Then went right back to it. It's a story.

"I feel like I'm in a Hallmark movie." -Holly

How did you decide that you wanted to start a small business when you were 19?

Or who's your family? You shouldn't have to prove all that It shouldn't be how old you are If you get the job done, you can get it done If you want to do it, and you have the passion, you should do it. Don't take somebody else's no for your answer. Girl power.

SAM: Lastly, where did the name Billy Opal come from , and what makes your store special?

HOLLY: This has always been a hot topic when people come in. I wrote down 100 words that mean something to me The words on the paper I looked at for a year, put it on the wall and said I'm gonna study these words and see what pops out to me The words Opal and Billy stood out the most. My dad's name and my mom ' s favorite stone. So I put them together. It just means something to me now so I love the name. Overall, we ' re a retail outlet. We work with different stores and they drop off with us. If you look around, we got designer and name brand pieces, and then also vintage stores drop off with us so we carry vintage stuff as well We offer a wide range of inventory: men ' s clothes, women ' s clothes, formals, casual wear, anything from somebody who's preppy coastal grandmother, to punk rock, or going to a festival we have you covered. That's my style. today. That's kind of how I want to set up my store. There's something for everybody. We have you covered.

"If you want to do it, and you have the passion, you should do it. Don't take somebody else's no for your answer. " holly

GETTING THROUGH THE WINTER BLUES

A LOCAL THERAPIST PROVIDES SOME INSIGHT ON HOW TO FIGHT SEASONAL DEPRESSION

SAM: Can you introduce yourself and your schooling background? And what you specialize in within your field?

JORDAN: My name is Jordan Phillips, and I am a Resident in Counseling working as a Grief and Healing Counselor at Hospice of the Piedmont. I have worked in crisis stabilization units, non profits providing individual support to those who are underserved needing support, and also have done in home counseling support to children and their families needing mental health counseling. I have worked with folks struggling with substance abuse, familial dynamics, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. More recently, I have been specializing in grief counseling helping those who have experienced a loss of a loved one and helping them in their grief journey

SAM: How often within your field do you interact with patients/clients that are dealing with "winter blues" or winter time depression?

JORDAN: As a grief counselor and my previous experiences as well I have come in contact with many folks struggling with seasonal depression. We currently are offering a workshop for those in grief struggling with “winter blues"

Many folks, when on their pathway of grief and healing, experience the holidays and the wintertime as an especially difficult challenge We offer individual counseling, support groups, and psycho education to help identify ways to help cope with those depressive feelings that sometimes arise during the winter season. There is also a difference between feelings of grief that sometimes mimic symptoms that would be associated with major clinical depression. If you have been diagnosed with major clinical depression, it might be good to seek professional help through counseling or meeting with your primary physician to identify long-term support in this.

SAM: What do you feel are the best ways to fight this issue? Can you give us some tips?

JORDAN: For those who are wanting to identify ways to help combat feelings associated with seasonal depression or winter blues, I always first and foremost recommend seeking professional help through a counselor. There are places for those who need support but would need someone willing to work on a sliding scale. There is a place called Community Services Boards that offers various types of mental health support services and there is one located in every county or region One, is located in Staunton called the Valley Community Service Board If for some reason you are unable to reach out for counseling support, there are also ways to help cope with the winter blues. Things like getting natural sunlight as much as possible, drinking water, eating and exercising regularly, maintaining social supports, and other forms of self care are very important.

64 Tips for grieving through the

by LITSA WILLIAMS

"winter blues"

1 Write a list of winter activities you enjoy, so you can refer to it when the hibernation funk sets in (some ideas coming below).

2. Write a list of indoor projects you want to accomplish this winter, to keep you motivated and inspired (some ideas coming below).

3. Create a scrapbook or memory book in honor of your loved one.

4 Start working on the memorial or legacy project you have been wanting to do (a memorial celebration, scholarship fund, memorial walk, etc)

5. Make a list of people you have lost touch with who you want to reach out to by phone, email or social media.

6. Make a plan to start sorting through your loved one ’ s belongings if you have been putting it off and want to do it.

7 Go through and organize, scan, print, etc old photographs (of your loved one or otherwise)

8. Set some TV boundaries – some TV is a great, healthy escape. Too much TV can become a fall/winter hibernation problem.

9. Make a list of shows and movies you really want to watch, so when you are watching TV it is things you really enjoy/value and not just mindless channel surfing

10 Stock up on puzzles

11. Stock up on books.

12. Stock up on materials for arts, crafts, etc.

13. Stock up on games.

14. If winter really gets you down, consider a light box designed for seasonal affective disorder

15 Sign up for a class at a local community college, community center, or library to keep you motivated and get you out of the house.

16. Sign up for an online class (we have some grief courses here and the internet is filled with TONS of other courses on anything you can think of!).

17. Start scheduling regular get togethers with good friends or family for coffee or dinner

18 Consider volunteering somewhere meaningful to you or your loved one

19. If you can afford it, get a really good warm coat and boots that will make it a little easier to face the cold when motivation is low.

20. Plan for indoor exercise options that you enjoy, if you know you won’t get outdoors to workout Consider DVDs, YouTube videos, or a home exercise machine

21 Try not to cancel plans Sometimes you have to, for self care, but be careful when it becomes a pattern

22. If it is in the budget, plan a mid winter vacation somewhere warm and sunny to give yourself a break and something to look forward to.

23. Join a book club (email us if you want to join the WYG online book club).

24. Join an in person support group. (Read our considerations about groups here)

25 Join an online support group (Again, read our considerations about groups here)

26. Start a blog (or keep blogging!).

27. Start journaling (or keep journaling!).

28. Make meal plans to try to keep your eating on track.

29. Make healthy grocery lists and stick to them, to avoid filling the house with junk comfort food

30 Challenge yourself to learn to cook and bake, especially healthy meals, if your normal go to is microwave meals or carry out.

31. If it is your first winter filling winter “roles” your loved one used to fill, get prepared before the need arises.

32 Do you know where the snow shovel, sidewalk salt, ice scraper, snowblower, etc are and how to use them? If not, plan in advance who can teach you or do it for you when needed.

33. Do you know how to light/start your furnace? If not, determine who you can ask for support in advance.

34. Are you able to get winter clothes out of an attic/basement, etc? If not, determine who you can ask for support in advance

35. Do you know how to put on snow tires or tire chains on your car? If not, determine who you can ask for support in advance

36. Plan for who will fill holiday roles, like shopping, decorating, and meal preparation.

37 Keep alcohol in check If you drink, set reasonable limits and stick to them

38 Get outside for a little bit when it is sunny, even if it cold Sunlight helps you physically and psychologically.

39. Keep a daily gratitude journal with at least one gratitude a day, so you can focus on some of the good things about living in the cold winter months.

40 Open your blinds and curtains during the day to let in as much natural light as possible

41. Trim back tree branches that are blocking light from windows.

42. Use a light alarm to wake up in the morning.

43 Make a list of outside the house indoor activities you enjoy to refer to in the winter when you are struggling with ideas or motivation Some suggestions are:

44. Go to a museum.

45. Go to a play.

46. Go to a concert.

47. Go to a local lecture.

48 Go to a movie

49 Join a rec indoor winter sports team, like basketball, indoor soccer, indoor lacrosse, etc.

50. Make a list of outside the house outdoor activities you enjoy to refer to in the winter when you are struggling with ideas or motivation. Some suggestions are: 51. Go ice skating.

52 Go skiing, snow tubing, or snowboarding

53 Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing 54. Go snowmobiling.

55. Ask a friend for support if you are struggling with motivation by asking them to join you in one of the above activities for the company and to make you less likely to cancel.

56 Listen to music, specifically music that cheers you up and boosts your mood Start making playlists now!

57. Keep to a good sleep routine, going to bed and getting up at the same time as often as possible.

58. Make evening plans right after work, so you are less likely to fall into the trap of going home, losing motivation from the dark and cold, and canceling.

59 Be self aware about external factors that are impacting your mood Does watching the news get you down? Skip it Does social media make you feel connected and positive? Then get online! Does it make you feel frustrated, negative or annoyed? Then skip it or limit it.

60. Start to learn a new language through a class, software or online.

61. Learn how to meditate through a class, online guided meditations, or an app.

62 If you are struggling to keep your head above water, talk to a therapist who can help with your individual needs

63. Be honest about the impact of the seasons on mood, even if the seasons have never been a challenge before. If you felt like you were finally having more good days than bad in your grief and suddenly you are having more bad days than good, consider whether the weather is a factor and if some of the above might help

64. Cut yourself some slack. There will be days you don’t manage a single thing on this list , and that’s okay. You will have the chance to try again tomorrow.

SAM: What are some activities that you do in your own life that have helped with this? Or to keep you positive during this time of year?

JORDAN: For myself, some things I find essential this time of year are getting outside and having as much natural light as possible. One of the main reasons folks tend to struggle more during the colder seasons is due to daylight savings and it getting colder. There is less to do in the day to day structure and routine. There are ways to care for ourselves. Staying connected to friends and family and other social supports is super important I love to regularly exercise at my local gym and participate in classes there that allow me the physical release I need as well as forming social connections with the other group participants in the classes. Having structure and routine feels important as well whether that’s through wor

Jordan Phillips is a resident in Counseling working as a Grief and Healing Counselor. Through her years of training and education, she is a pro on many levels within the mental health field.

THANK YOU

It has always been a dream of ours to create a magazine to share amazing stories of all things local. We are so thankful for the hearts that follow our adventures and the support we have gotten along the way. We can't wait to continue to grow this platform and highlight how amazing our community is. Thank you for your continued support, and for making this all possible!

Much love to you all, Sam and Jonathan Shover @millpondphotography