Grief

What does it actually look like to take full responsibility for yourself, every single day, even when it is uncomfortable. That is the question running underneath this whole conversation with Zach Campbell. I sat down with Zach at Duluth Creative Company for this one, and honestly, he is one of those people who just makes you want to show up more fully in your own life. Zach owns Owl Moon Mental Health here in downtown Duluth, where he and his team work with adults navigating trauma, addiction, and relationships of every shape. He trained in transpersonal psychology and works through a Jungian lens, looking at the archetypes and layers underneath a person rather than just the surface of what brought them in. Before he was a therapist, Zach was a massage therapist, a case manager, and a long time student of Carl Jung. He is also in recovery, and he talks about that with a kind of honesty that stopped me in my tracks. We covered his daily rituals, what real self responsibility looks like, and how his relationship with grief has shifted over the years. KEY THEMES AND TAKEAWAYS Zach works primarily with trauma, addiction, and complex relationship dynamics, and he has learned to see every client as a full human being rather than a diagnosis His daily practice includes dream journaling, a habit he has kept for over twenty five years, along with weekly movement and monthly ceremony and community practices Getting sober about three and a half years ago meant finally being honest with himself after years of believing he could manage it alone Self responsibility is not about being perfect. It is about being willing to notice and admit when you have failed Grief is not limited to death. It can show up around loss of routine, loss of connection, even collective moments like the pandemic Presence means letting a feeling exist without rushing to fix it, explain it, or make it go away Joy is something Zach is intentionally practicing this year, and sometimes that looks as simple as cooking a good meal for himself OUR FAVORITE QUOTES "I need to admit it, right. And if I don't admit it, it could lead to some other negative behavior." "If we're simplifying and we're truly paying attention, it automatically shifts." "Heaviness is a gift because it pulls us down to slow down." "Don't let the thoughts that you can't do it in your head hold you back from just making sure you do it for yourself, whatever that is." CHAPTER MARKERS 00:56 Building Owl Moon Mental Health 02:15 The clients he is drawn to work with 13:24 The daily rituals that keep him grounded 19:34 Getting honest about sobriety 24:06 Sitting with an uncomfortable compliment 30:34 Grief is not only about death 37:45 Choosing joy on purpose YOUR TURN This week's reflection: where in your life are you performing okay instead of admitting what is actually true. What would it feel like to just say it out loud? HOW TO CONNECT WITH ZACH Zach Campbell is the owner and therapist behind Owl Moon Mental Health in downtown Duluth, offering trauma informed, person centered counseling including Jungian sand tray, EMDR, somatic experiencing, and dream analysis. Virtual and in person sessions available. Website: owlmoonmentalhealth.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 218-300-2547 --------- How to connect with Katie Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.attunewellness.love/⁠⁠⁠ Say hi to Katie on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠   Leave a review on the Apple Podcast app or the Spotify app: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MB01TYBZODE3HCA