Grief: Losing a Loved One

Grief after the death of someone you love can feel surreal, disorienting, and completely overwhelming. All of those things make sense when you realize that it takes time for your brain to catch up to the reality that they are really gone.

In this first episode of a 3-part Grief Series on Life Coaches Unfiltered, Desiree, Doree, and Michelle share honest stories about losing loved ones, and unpack why grief feels so “weird” and out of control in the early days. 

You’ll hear:

• Why grief after a death is a universal human experience (and not something to be ashamed of)
• How sudden loss, anticipated loss, and “complicated” relationships can shape the way we grieve
• Why the famous “stages of grief” were never meant as a strict rulebook for the people left behind
• What acute grief can look like: vivid dreams, shock, numbness, emotional waves
• Why you’re not going crazy, even if it feels that way
• Practical ideas for coping in the first weeks and months, including sleep, boundaries, and simple grounding practices

If you have a family member who is close to transitioning or if you’re navigating the death of a loved one, you’ll find useful information in this episode. 

Even if you’re supporting friends and family and want to show up with empathy instead of clichés,  you’ll find guidance in this episode.

Follow the show so you don’t miss Parts 2 and 3 of the Grief Series, where the coaches explore other forms of loss and how grief shows up beyond death.

Key ideas and tools discussed:

• Grief is complicated and individualized; there is no “right way” to do it
• How relationship dynamics (close, distant, conflicted, or “complicated”) shape the grief process
• The importance of sleep for emotional regulation and why lack of sleep can intensify grief distress
• Simple grounding strategies: repeating prayers or mantras, using meditative beads, staying present, and giving yourself permission to take breaks from heavy conversations
• How to respond when someone shares grief from a loss that happened years or decades ago. Empathy matters more than timelines

Questions we help answer:

• “What does grief look like after losing a loved one?”
• “How do I recover from the loss of a loved one?”
• “Are the stages of grief real, and do I have to follow them?”
• “Why does my grief feel worse in the morning or after vivid dreams?”
• “How do I support someone whose grief seems complicated or ‘stuck’?”

🔗Links & resources:
Connect with Desiree Doucet
Desiree’s Website
Desiree’s Facebook Page
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Desiree’s LinkedIn Page

Documentary: "A butterfly has been released" (mentioned in the show)

Desiree, compassionate Grief Mentor & Coach. Helping midlife humans learn and grow from grief & loss.

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