Making space: how the most important things emerge unexpectedly

In the final step of this activity, continuing with our aim of applying what we’ve learned to real world examples, Sharna describes what having hard conversations with patients looks and feels like, and how important preoccupations in the lives of dying patients come to light unexpectedly, but only in the context of a trusting relationship.

Often this involves moving into unknown territory while remaining curious. This may feel like a change of gear in a working environment where time can be seen as something to fill with tasks. Indeed, filling instead of making space can be tempting when we are in the terrain of emotionally upsetting topics like loss and dying.