In Their Own Words
“The body stores memory and emotions, some might not even be yours to carry. Giving yourself the time to explore this kind of coaching can bring wonderful healing.”
—A 100 CONVERSATIONS PARTICIPANT
“Working with Michelle was an amazing experience, and each session provided practical tools that encouraged deeper awareness and reflection. I’ve gained greater insight into where I experience blocks and learned how to use the tools we discussed to work through them and improve my overall quality of life. One of the biggest shifts for me has been learning to slow down, listen to my body, and become more mindful of what it needs. The guided meditations and techniques for completing the stress response cycle have been especially helpful and easy to apply in everyday life. I’ve also become more aware of the negative thoughts and language I was holding toward my body and am learning to reframe them with greater compassion.”
— LAUREN
“I was initially hesitant to participate in The Obituary experience because, as a combat veteran, I’ve had close calls with death, and it’s something I’ve always feared and preferred not to dwell on. However, the experience turned out to be surprisingly positive. With Michelle’s compassionate guidance, the topic of death was not as unsettling as I had expected. Instead, it helped me reflect on the meaningful, positive aspects of my life and reframe my perspective on mortality. Michelle also went above and beyond to thoughtfully adapt the experience to accommodate my blindness, which made it even more impactful and personal.”
–Blake D., Veteran
“I had a wonderful experience participating in The Obituary. Michelle made me feel comfortable navigating through a series of thoughtful prompts that I continue to reflect upon. I have found that this has been so helpful in honing in on what matters most to me. So glad I did this!”
–Kim S., Visual Artist & Educator
“The Obituary was a truly wonderful and transformative experience. It was thought-provoking and surprisingly uplifting, inviting deep reflection on what truly matters in life. The entire process was beautifully designed and seamlessly guided, creating a safe and meaningful space for introspection and gratitude. It left me feeling more connected to my purpose and appreciative of the people and moments that shape my story. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone seeking clarity, perspective, or a deeper sense of appreciation for life.”
–Lauren O., Project Manager for a bespoke memoir service
I came to Michelle at a moment in my life when I was beginning to contemplate my mortality following a serious medical diagnosis. I was very grateful to have a space to openly consider the balance of life and death that was on my mind. Michelle began her work by offering a meditation to our group of friends which helped me to slow down and calm down. At first I wasn't sure how my answers to her seemingly broad questions would fit together to write an obituary (even a hopefully premature one) but left with a sense of peace having articulated some of the important moments of my life and identified what was important to me. Later on, as I navigated the medical system, read books about healing and became closer to God, it soon became very important to me to use the materials from Room for Dying to draft my obituary. Only reaching the halfway point before becoming overwhelmed with emotions, I was grateful for the opportunity Michelle's work gave to me to express who I am, what my life has held and what I can hope for to come. The draft of the obituary inspired me to write more about my experience with God's healing and the things I care about in life. For me, Michelle Miller’s Room for Dying became the source of making space for articulating how to live.
-Jeanie A., Associate Curator
“We tend to live life through a narrow lens — focused on the immediate with a false sense of what’s important. Writing The Obituary created a space to slow down and reflect on what you feel truly matters. Death is the one event we’re all guaranteed, yet it’s something we almost never allow ourselves to sit with. At first an intimidating exercise, the experience allowed for a more open, compassionate view on life.”
— Matt B., Photographer
“Writing my own Obituary was unexpectedly life-giving. It ended up being less about death, and more about revealing how I want to live. It reframed how I move through the world and reminded me what is actually important. Nature came up as a constant theme, and so I went home and shifted some of my daily patterns to reclaim more bits of happiness and fulfillment on a daily basis."
–Renee P., Visual Artist
“Participating in The Obituary was nothing short of revelatory. Michelle provided a gentle invitation to consider mortality and meaning, and her guided prompts provided a pathway through these important considerations that was as deeply moving as it was warmly supportive. As an artist and arts educator at midlife and midcareer, I appreciated having the opportunity to discern the elements of my creative work and career that are most important to carry forward into my next season. As a married woman, a mom of teens, and a daughter of swiftly aging parents, considering the interconnectedness of my life - and death - those of my beloved others opened my eyes to the deeply beautiful connections that are present and possible in each moment we share.”
— Amy B., Visual Artist & Professor
“The Obituary was a deeply profound experience. The invitation to zoom out and examine my life from this panoramic perspective felt incredibly healing and clarifying. I was surprised by the themes that kept coming up over and over which I hadn't considered in years and which led to a more intentional approach to connecting with others and myself in the moment. The opportunity to reflect on our mortality also felt very grounding in the context of the difficult times the world is going through right now. I am deeply grateful to have been a part of this beautifully crafted and considered project.”
— Manuela G., Visual Artist & Educator
“I wasn't sure what to expect with The Obituary, and found myself incredibly moved by the experience. It invites deep reflection. Instead of feeling dark or macabre, the process helped me clarify what is most important to me.”
–Molly A., Artist, Gallery Associate & Professor
My relationship with death is only very abstract, therefore vulnerable to the social osmosis of all stereotypes… like denial and dread and “not me”. Anyhow I am only 34 and have all my loved ones alive and well. So I came already armed with a sense of aloofness as I entered Michelle’s “room for dying”. I also was in fact worried that the conversation would be quite disturbing. What happened instead couldn’t be further from my expectations.
Michelle guided us into a reflective, gracious, lighthearted (one way) conversation about the memories and decisions that made up our lives. We chose to journal our entries. It was already half way through the session when I first noticed we were in fact writing a sort of obituary. Talk about easing gently into the conversation…I was comfortable and happy; I enjoyed journaling the people and places that marked my life so far—and I left hopeful that I will positively affect others with the time I have left.
At the beginning of the session I was wondering when we were going to address being dead. At the end, I realized “room for dying” instead put exclamations on all the ways I wanted to be alive, now; and that’s a lot more useful.
Michelle you are awe-some. Your work is important. Thank you!
-Angela B., Founder and creative director of a contemporary fine jewelry studio
"I just listened to Rooted in Breath and I found it very moving, got a little emotional at the end. Being present without my looking for something to produce or consume is very difficult for me. Your linking my breath with light and life and water was so beautiful, as was the merging of trees and the body, mycelial networks and social networks. It actually made me feel more in the present than if I were trying to lasso stray thoughts or accept fondly the capriciousness of my monkey mind. So, in other words, I loved it. The comfort of coexisting with time and light is exactly what works for me."
— Amy G., Visual Artist
"I could not love this meditation any more. It feels like it was made specifically for me. All of the things that I have mused on are woven through this beautiful meditation. I felt the sunlight playing on my leaves while I rested in tree time. This is a deeply restful exercise in kindness and reciprocity."
— Carin W., Visual Artist
Rooted in Breath is wonderful. I found the content really centering and your vocal presentation was really good! You are a natural!"
— Amy B., Visual Artist & Professor