News from the Room
Anticipatory Grief: The Weight of Knowing
There’s a quiet kind of grief that settles in long before loss arrives. It sneaks up in small moments, watching a parent move a little slower, hearing a grandparent forget a name they once knew, noticing the deepening lines on a face that has always been familiar. It’s the realisation that time is moving forward, unrelenting, and that the people who have been constants in our lives are aging, changing, slipping, and one day, they will move on.
This is anticipatory grief.
Unlike the sudden, sharp pain of loss, anticipatory grief lingers in the background, a slow ache rather than a wound. It is grief in waiting, but preparation doesn’t lessen the impact. It only reminds us of what we stand to lose.
But perhaps there is another way to carry it. Instead of letting it weigh us down, we can turn anticipatory grief into gratitude. We can remind ourselves of all the moments we’ve had, the laughter, the shared meals, the quiet conversations, and all the moments we still have ahead.
Rather than mourning the future before it arrives, we can choose to live in the present. To do our best to be fully here, now. To cherish the time we are given and let appreciation take the place of fear. Because the future hasn’t been written yet, so make it a good one.
Anticipatory grief, then, isn’t just about loss. It’s a reminder to show your love while you can, to be present, and to embrace the gift of time.
The 411
This Week at Room Eleven
Outreach, outreach, outreach.
Most of my time this week has been spent reaching out to brands, corporates, and organisations to spark interest in partnerships, sponsorships, or collaborations. If you know of any groups that might want to be involved in the Guinness World Record fundraiser for the Pregnancy After Loss Clinic, send them my way!
I also had a fantastic meeting with the Subsequent Pregnancy Working Group, bringing together researchers, doctors, and parents to develop the Pregnancy After Loss Guide for families. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this project, and I can’t wait to see the guide in hospitals soon.
I’m waiting for the fundraising page to be finalised with the Royal Women’s Hospital. Once it’s live, be prepared for to be seeing my mug allover your socials!
Weekly Musings
Quote I’m Pondering: "Pressure is a Privilege"
Billie Jean King said it best—pressure is a privilege. If you’re feeling it, it means you’re in the game. It means people are counting on you, that you’ve put yourself in a position where expectations exist. And sure, that can feel overwhelming, but what’s the alternative? No pressure, no challenges, no growth. No chance to see what you’re actually capable of.
Not all pressure is worth carrying, but some of it is a sign you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Pressure can break you, but it can also push you forward. The key is knowing which kind to lean into.
What I’m Watching: Modern Family
Available to Stream on Disney+
Another great go-to show to switch off and relax with. Modern Family follows the lives of three interconnected families—the goofy yet lovable Dunphys, the quirky Pritchetts, and the hilarious Tucker-Pritchetts—as they navigate the ups and downs of family life with plenty of heart and humour.
Phil Dunphy is easily one of the best dad role models ever put on screen—Ty Burrell’s performance is perfect, and the writing is spot on. Honestly, the casting director deserves an award for assembling such a brilliant ensemble.
If you haven’t watched it yet and love ensemble comedies the whole family can enjoy, check it out on Disney+ now!
This week has been a bit all over the place and momentum feels to have stagnated this week, so there’s not much in terms of updates. Most of my time has been spent on outreach, connecting with brands and organisations for potential partnerships, and taking part in the Subsequent Pregnancy Working Group meeting.
I’m looking forward to the fundraising page to go live! In the meantime, if you know of any businesses, sponsors, or organisations that might be interested in supporting the Guinness World Record fundraiser for the Pregnancy After Loss Clinic, send them my way. Every connection helps!
See you next week!
Rob
Giving Back
Donate a Still Billie Box
Our care packages for families who’ve lost their baby, named after our baby daughter Billie. Offering comfort during what should be a joyful season. Your donation can make a real difference in allowing us to provide free Still Billie Boxes to hospitals across Australia.
Room Eleven is a social enterprise business and does not qualify for DGR status.