with Nicole Collins

Rebuilding, badly

From the first night alone to the first trip solo.

A free weekly letter for women whose husband or partner died, married or not. Help with what to do first, and company for the lonely parts.

Five minutes, once a week. Subscribe and I'll also send you my free guide, Financial First Steps for Widows.

The letters

Some weeks a practical question, some weeks the lonely stuff. Start anywhere.

Oct 15, 2026

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3 min read

My $20,000 lesson in taking care of myself

If your own healthcare has been on hold, here's help checking your coverage this fall.

Sep 27, 2026

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2 min read

Finding the support you need after loss

What I learned from a terrible grief group and the people who surprised me.

Sep 2, 2026

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2 min read

How one checkbox adds $5,530 to a widow's tax bill.

Same income, same house, just one different box at the top of the form.

Aug 20, 2026

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1 min read

His name was still on the mail

Two piles, one painful stack, and the videos I almost didn't film

Jul 30, 2026

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2 min read

My jaw took the night shift

The hidden bill caregiving left me, and why I finally pressed record.

Jul 15, 2026

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1 min read

Where did you stop?

I need ten minutes and your honesty

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About the "badly" part

I'm Nicole. My partner Christian died of brain cancer in 2023. My first year was a mess, more flailing than healing, honestly. I'm still rebuilding, and I'm doing it badly, out loud, so you don't have to do it alone.

I'm a certified grief educator. If you'd like an hour together on Zoom, I offer one-on-one Rebuilding Sessions.

Prefer to watch? Find me on YouTube at @RebuildingBadly.

Financial information here is education, not legal or financial advice. Rebuilding Sessions are non-clinical grief support. If some nights are dark enough that you don't want to be here, call or text 988 any hour (US).