Darcy Meehan

09/11/2026

GMa: 102 + Timeless

Today would mark another turn around the sun for my grandmother, Valerie Clarisse Meehan (affectionately known as GMa by me).

While her physical time on earth has ended, her legacy continues to live on. Her light shines through dark times. Memories are timeless. Love for her is endless.

Before I can remember, she held me and I was safe in her arms. There was an unspoken love and trust beyond measure.

Decades later, I became one of those people for her.

It was and continues to be an honor of my lifetime to become close friends, a confidant and companion with my grandmother for the last pages of her life story. Little did I know spending time together for a few years would instill more certainty in me, strengthen my faith, soften my heart, call me higher, expand my capacity to love and solidify my affection for postage stamps.

During lockdown, I would drive to and from Los Angeles, then eventually take short flights, to spend time with her. It became a regular routine, something reliable in such peculiar times. For both of us I think.

I got to know my grandmother. Not only as a woman, matriarch and wisdom keeper, also as a courageous woman consciously dying.

From driving around with nowhere to go, visiting post offices and exploring their stamp collections, sorting papers only to spread them out again, clipping flowers from the porch, prayers aloud and side by side, slow park strolls and bundled up for the beach view, to creating experiences just because we could, pastry and sweet coffee for lunch included.

We were living.

We were also acknowledging dying.

She would talk about what mattered, some of it tender and trying, some of it seemingly uneventful or clearly repetitive. Being present together brought peace to pain along with expected annoyances. I am her granddaughter after all.

Addressing avoided tasks, moving through decision making, releasing the need to do it all and letting go after sincere efforts made it possible to be present. Anxiety lessened as we navigated things that were tough to talk about.

Daily life. Planning ahead. Death preparations. All of it...

Read the rest here:
https://darcymeehan1.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/215183325/share-center

05/30/2026

#3 Misconception or truth?

Will working with someone on life planning or end of life care be really hard?

The truth is, maybe.
But it’s harder alone. Avoiding this topic altogether is way harder. Leaving it for others to stumble through is even harder.
The anxiety and dread loved ones that come from being left without a plan to rely on is the hardest.

So… is it hard to talk about this? Is it hard to face your fears so you can finally feel peaceful about the uncertain future? Is it hard knowing you can do what you can to plan and prepare for later... but keep putting it off?

Maybe it’s less about whether it’s hard or not…
but more about whether it’s worth it.

You tell me.

What I know is this:
Life can be hard. It can also be peaceful in the less comfortable parts. Choosing how we approach change, choices and what support we let in shapes our whole experience.

What hard do you want to lean into… and maybe even realize it’s not as hard as fear told you it would be?

🌟DM me or come over to the website for access to a free planning for peace checklist. I’m here to help you take the first step. Sometimes that’s the hardest.

www.moderndaydeathdoula.com

05/24/2026

Misconception #2: Busted ☑️

The idea that it’s too early to have certain conversations or invest in your future is what’s keeping you stuck in anxiety mode and avoidance loops. Let’s change that.

Truth: End of life planning and preparing for the unexpected is NOT only for people above a certain age. In fact, talking about this sooner prevents added stress later.

This topic applies to EVERYONE.

05/20/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about death doula or end of life planning is this… all we talk about is dying. This could not be more true! So let’s talk about it + what’s actually realistic.

05/04/2026

Dealing with anxiety?
Scrambling to do it all?
Worried about the future?
Feeling behind?

Take less than 5 minutes to read this.
https://open.substack.com/pub/darcymeehan1/p/youre-not-behind?r=2p9d1k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

05/04/2026

Typically I am the one introducing the guest and asking questions alongside Michelle, a special part of my week every Monday. This time, I was the one in the guest seat! I'm honored to have been invited to the Creative Healing Podcast with the amazing Michelle Hirschman, who I've work alongside for nearly 10 years 🦋✨

As Los Angeles Coach and Director of Outreach for Hirschman Clinical Services, I've been able to see up close and personal how integrating end-of-life support into therapeutic spaces offers a powerful opportunity for healing. In this episode, we get into topics that matter and inspire my work in the world, personally and professionally.

We Explore:
✨Why conversations about death belong in mental health spaces and how to approach them
✨The value of intentional planning now for what comes later
✨How death doula work complements and expands traditional clinical care
✨The role of structure and guidance in reducing anxiety around the unknown and the future
✨Moving clients from avoidance or overwhelm to empowered and organized
✨Supporting families navigating aging, caregiving and legacy
✨How engaging with mortality can deepen presence and purpose in everyday life

Thank you for your vision and devotion to this work, Michelle! It's an honor to be part of this mission together. If this is a season you’re in, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out. This is where emotional, practical and relational work come together and it’s meant to be approached with support.

This episode and others are available as weekly support for you. Take a listen to the podcast and share one takeaway!

🎼

Podcast Episode · Creative Healing Podcast · April 27 · 38m

04/21/2026

To be alive is to drift and return.

To leave the moment
+ find your way back.

Presence is the way to stretch time
and find meaning & what is true
here, right where you are.

There is no way to do it right and there is no wrong either…
the opportunity and challenge
is to be right here,
to keep coming back,
to be alive in your one precious life.

Sincerity is the doorway into what matters most, a way to bring more love into this life, what makes being alive worthwhile.
Even when it’s hard.

I’m inviting you to lean in and notice… where could you pause to become more present & maybe add some love today?

xx Darcy

03/29/2026

That anxiety following you around...
It’s not the problem.
It’s the signal.

You’re not stuck.
You’re being guided.

Read the latest Substack for how to make the shift from anxiety into awareness. The simple step I share here could change everything for you.

End of life conversations, even day to day conscious life planning, can stir up more anxiety than most of us expect… often more than we want to admit. Very few of us want to admit how crippling the anxiety in us feels. The thing is, avoiding addressing it only makes it worse. I want you to know th...