Introduction: Turning Grief into Growth
Welcome back to another soulful episode of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, where we believe inner transformation is the true elegance. Today’s episode is not just a conversation—it’s a compass for anyone walking through grief, loss, or uncertainty.
I’m your host, Neeti Keswani, and we’re diving into a powerful story of emotional resilience, confidence, and leadership in the face of life’s hardest moments. Our guest today, Sheila, lost her husband—but instead of letting grief define her, she made it a sacred passage toward personal empowerment. Through intentional journaling and deep inner work, she transformed her pain into power, and her sorrow into soul-led purpose.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or guilty for choosing yourself—this conversation is a reminder that your power is still within reach. Let’s begin.
Q&A: Neeti Keswani in Conversation with Sheila
Neeti: Welcome, Sheila. It’s truly a blessing to have you here.
Sheila: Thank you, Neeti. It’s wonderful to be here, and I appreciate the space you’ve created for these meaningful conversations.
Neeti: Let’s start by understanding your journey. What do you do now, and how did grief transform your life and work?
Sheila: I’m an empowerment coach helping women lead with confidence. That may sound bold, but it comes from deep truth. I learned after my husband passed away that while grief is inevitable, it’s what you do with that grief that can either break you—or build you. For me, it became a sacred transformation.
Neeti: You’ve mentioned writing over 2,000 letters to your husband. Can you share how intentional journaling became part of your healing?
Sheila: I didn’t plan it, honestly. I was just trying to survive each day. I missed him so much and wanted to stay connected—to keep our memories alive, to share updates about our daughter, Sydney, who was only 15 at the time. So I began writing one letter a day. At first, it was “I paid a bill” or “Sydney got her license.” Over time, it became a ritual. I wrote every night for six years. I didn’t know it was healing me, but it was. It gave me grounding, continuity, and a space to feel. That’s what journaling did—it let my heart breathe.
Neeti: So it started with love, not intention. That’s deeply beautiful. Would you say it was your way of staying authentic while grieving?
Sheila: Absolutely. I wasn’t trying to “move on.” I was trying to move with love. I imagined him around the corner. I wrote to keep that connection alive. And in doing so, I found my own voice emerging—a voice of strength, of honesty, and of hope.
Neeti: What was the moment you first felt confidence outweigh your fear in that transformation?
Sheila: It didn’t happen overnight. It was around the fourth or fifth year after Bob’s passing. I remember this one moment—I removed a piece of art from our wall that he loved but I didn’t. It took me nearly five years to take it down. I leaned it against the floor, unable to let it go fully. Then I replaced it with a painting I loved. That simple act was transformative. I wasn’t diminishing his memory—I was reclaiming mine. That’s when I realized: confidence starts in the smallest steps of choosing yourself.
Neeti: That’s such a subtle but powerful act. So, when you now coach women, how has your personal journey shaped your leadership philosophy?
Sheila: I now understand that everyone has untapped power. Most of us simply don’t believe we do. We give our power away—to fear, to guilt, to shame. But there’s evidence of strength in our lives if we just pause and notice. That’s what I help women do—rediscover themselves and lead from the inside out. I learned it through grief. Now I teach it through coaching.
Neeti: Many women struggle to put themselves first without guilt. How do you help clients break that cycle?
Sheila: The first step is realizing that liking yourself isn’t selfish—it’s sacred. I have clients make a list of every single success they’ve ever had, no matter how small. “I made the bed.” “I kept my promise.” “I helped a friend.” When they read it aloud, they’re shocked at how powerful they already are. This becomes the foundation for building self-worth. We can’t affirm what we don’t believe. So we start small, start true, and start now.
Neeti: That is such a grounded, heart-led process. What about negative self-talk? It’s a huge block to self-improvement.
Sheila: I always say: become aware. When that voice says, “You can’t,” pause and reframe it with something believable. “I’m doing my best.” “I made it through before; I can again.” “I’m grateful for my coffee today.” These aren’t clichés—they’re anchors. We create our confidence through repetition and awareness. Slowly, the old script fades and a new one forms—one of truth, grace, and growth.
Neeti: Let’s talk spiritual insight. You’ve spoken about “breadcrumbs” guiding us. What does that mean?
Sheila: It means listening to those tiny nudges—those little moments that seem small but are actually sacred. A coffee invite. A recommendation. A blog post. A job you didn’t get. I call them “breadcrumbs,” and they’re divine clues. When you follow them with intuition, they lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. Saying “yes” to little opportunities can open massive doors. I teach my clients to say yes more—yes to life, yes to healing, yes to self.
Neeti: What role does intuition play in this?
Sheila: Everything. If something excites you, even if it scares you a little, it’s probably right. But if it feels off or heavy, pause. Your body knows. Intuition is our inner GPS—but we’re often too busy or scared to follow it. Grief taught me to slow down and listen. That’s how I made peace with change.
Neeti: So, if someone is reading this today and feeling completely powerless, what’s one mindset shift they can try right now?
Sheila: Say to yourself: “I have the power to choose how I feel today.” You may not control the world outside, but you can control your response. That choice—that shift—is where all change begins. Remind yourself: “I am not here to just take up space. I am here with purpose.” Start there. Say it daily. Believe it slowly. Live it fully.
Conclusion: Journaling as a Bridge Between Loss and Leadership
Sheila’s story reminds us that grief doesn’t have to be the end of the road. It can be a bridge—a deeply sacred one—towards growth, clarity, and confidence.
Through intentional journaling, daily mindset shifts, and conscious action, Sheila turned heartbreak into healing and solitude into self-leadership. And so can you.
This episode isn’t just for those experiencing grief—it’s for anyone who has ever doubted their worth, felt stuck in fear, or forgotten their own voice. Your power, your peace, and your purpose are not gone. They’re waiting for you to pause… and begin again.
About Neeti Keswani
I’m Neeti Keswani, founder of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, storytelling coach, and certified Ho’oponopono guide. I help creators, coaches, and conscious leaders align their brand with their inner truth.
👉 For 1-on-1 coaching or to work on your personal brand transformation, reach out to:
📩 info@plush-ink.com
✨ Let your story sell. Let your soul lead.
🎧 Listen to more episodes at: Luxury Unplugged Podcast
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