Nikki Bonkoski
At first I'm shy, then I'm a podcast.
Nikki Bonkoski has been touching broken hearts as a prose poetry artist and storyteller on social media for nearly ten years.
On a beautiful Minnesota morning, you can find her embracing nature, writing alongside her dog, reading, and connecting with those seeking advice and comfort.
Her poignant, captivating, haunting, and timely poetry and prose have touched the hearts of many across the globe. Her words are genuine, and her remarkable talent for articulating both profound sorrow and overwhelming joy is truly unique.
Nikki became a mental health advocate and a suicide awareness/prevention advocate shortly after losing her husband to suicide in 2015. Since that tragic day, she has devoted her time and compassion to supporting other survivors of suicide loss around the world. She obtained her certification as a grief support specialist in 2017 from the University of Madison, Wisconsin and founded The Brave Ladies Club the same year. The Brave Ladies Club is a private support group for women across the globe who lost a spouse or partner to suicide.
Nikki enrolled at McConnel School of Travel in Minneapolis, MN, in 1999, where she earned a Travel Certificate. Her studies focused on becoming a travel agent, as well as gaining experience in hotel management and the airline industry. After graduating, she applied to Northwest Airlines (now known as Delta) and, after several rounds of interviews, she was offered a position. She worked as an International Flight Attendant for Northwest Airlines from 1999 to 2006. During her travels around the globe, she ensured that passengers felt safe, calm, and cared for, visiting destinations such as Japan, Amsterdam, London, Canada, Singapore, and all 50 U.S. states, including Alaska and Hawaii. This career instilled in her a sense of independence, a strong mindset, and a commitment to kindness and inclusivity. Interacting with passengers from diverse backgrounds taught her effective communication skills across various ages and cultures. She often advises young people, “If you want to travel while you’re young, consider becoming a flight attendant for a few years to travel for free!”
In 2006, she established her own company, Something Blue Design LLC, in her hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. She offered a range of services, including wedding planning, day-of coordination, design and decoration, along with floral arrangements for both the ceremony and reception, successfully serving over 500 weddings. Her work gained notable recognition when it was featured in Minnesota Bride Magazine in 2012. In 2018, she was forced to close her business due to the profound impact of her husband's suicide. She was the only employee of her business, and to this day, she continues to have a deep passion for planning events and parties.
Nikki's authentic storytelling, prose poetry, videos, and photography on social media resonate with many, showing them that a young widow can rebuild her life even with a shattered heart.
There is always a light within us that is free from all sorrow and grief,
no matter how much we may be experiencing suffering.
Comments on Nikki's writing:
"You are already radiating light for others to accept, to see by. Proof that this journey is THE journey for you. It's not supposed to be easy. It's in the 'digging deep' that we grow, and eventually realize enlightenment. You are strong, serene, brimming with compassion for others, and most importantly, yourself. There's no stopping now!"
"Nik, Your miracle is anything but small.
The miracle in your story took place within you, essentially making you the miracle.
Don’t mistake this for a charismatic attempt for strategically complimenting you for an alternate purpose. I’m simply pointing out the truth that the details of your miracle manifest in and through you. In your loving and encouraging words that speak life into the grimmest of circumstances. You and all you do so selflessly for others is proof positive...You are a miracle."
"I commend you on what a truly motivating and inspirational woman you are. How you get up every day with a positive attitude and a smile and raise your kids is overwhelming. You radiate love, positivity, and kindness and you will have helped so many people through your posts. People you don’t know and will never meet but some people reading here will owe their life to you and for others, you will have turned their life around. You are an incredible woman."
"Nikki...you are a blessing to so many of us!!! Your words are so powerful and have helped and are helping so many.....
PLEASE MAY I BE IN LINE TO HAVE AN autographed copy of your book that will be published someday."
"I'm trying so hard to find self-love. I still think about death every day. And life keeps throwing it at me... Maybe one day I'll catch a break. But until then my beautiful daughters and siblings I do have are enough. I read and reread your posts. I need them as fuel. You are beautiful and I just wanted to let you know your words mean more than you could ever know."
"Good morning Nik (it’s a bright and unusually sunny afternoon here in the UK).
I just wanted to reach out to say that right at this moment, in a bleak period of pain, I stumbled across the video post you shared of you and your boy dancing two years ago. God bless; his laughter is truly infectious and your strength and ongoing grit, it filled me with a burst of joy. I’ll keep smiling on through the pain and the rest of today. Warmest regards.
P.S This is the most beautifully constructed, thoughtful and superlative paragraph of prose I’ve read for some time. You have such an inherent talent for writing. Your words are stunning and captivate. I hope that one day they are published in order that they become accessible to our wider world. Perhaps someday in the future I shall see your words on a bookshelf in a public library and smile reflecting on this memory. "