Losing someone you love can make you wonder if you're grieving "the right way." You may have heard about the five stages of grief and expected to move neatly from one stage to the next.

But that's not how grief works.

In this chat, we explain why the stages of grief are not a roadmap or a checklist. You may experience some of the stages, none of them, or revisit the same emotions over and over again. Grief is deeply personal, and there is no single "correct" path through it.

If you've ever thought, "I was doing better... why am I falling apart again?" or "Shouldn't I be in a different stage by now?" this conversation is for you.

You'll learn:

Why grief isn't linear
Why emotions come and go unexpectedly
Why you may never experience every stage
How understanding this can reduce fear, guilt, and self-judgment
How to trust your own unique grief journey

Remember: you're not failing at grief. You're experiencing one of the most human responses to profound loss.

If this video helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe for more compassionate conversations about navigating the early days and months of grief.

👉 Follow for tools to navigate grief and difficult emotions and visit www.thegriefgurus.com for practical conversations about grief, coping, and living after loss.

#TheGriefGurus #CarolBanens #LisaMcFarland #healing

Show Notes + Resources:

Grief Gurus Healing Community: www.thegriefgurus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GriefGurus

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegriefgurus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefgurus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GriefGurus/

Lisa McFarland: https://lisamcfarland.com/

Carol Banens: https://carolbanens.com/

Information on books written and published by Lisa and Carol can be found on their individual websites, social media profiles and Amazon.

Grief is part of your story. But not the whole story.

There are parts of grief that almost everyone experiences—but very few people ever talk about.

What if, after your loved one died, you felt relief?

What if you found yourself feeling hurt, frustrated, or even resentful toward the people around you?

These emotions can be deeply unsettling, leaving many grieving people wondering, "What's wrong with me?" The truth is, these reactions are far more common than most of us realize. Yet because they're uncomfortable to admit, many people carry them silently, believing they're somehow grieving the "wrong" way.

In this episode, we have an honest conversation about the hidden emotions of grief—especially the ones that can bring shame or self-judgment. We explore why feelings like relief, resentment, disappointment, or frustration can naturally arise after a profound loss and why experiencing them doesn't diminish your love for the person who died.

In this conversation, we'll discuss:

• Why relief can be a normal part of grief after a long illness or caregiving journey
• The surprising reasons you may feel hurt, frustrated, or resentful after a loss
• Why these emotions don't make you a bad person—they make you human
• How unspoken feelings can keep us feeling isolated and ashamed
• The healing power of talking honestly about the parts of grief that most people hide

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is permission to tell the truth about our grief—even when that truth feels messy or confusing.

Our hope is that this conversation helps you replace self-judgment with self-compassion and reminds you that you're not alone. Because when we begin talking openly about the parts of grief that no one seems to discuss, healing becomes a little less lonely.

If this conversation resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you in the comments. Your honesty may be exactly what someone else needs to feel seen.

👉 Follow for tools to navigate grief and difficult emotions and visit www.thegriefgurus.com for practical conversations about grief, coping, and living after loss.

#TheGriefGurus #CarolBanens #LisaMcFarland #healing

Show Notes + Resources:

Grief Gurus Healing Community: www.thegriefgurus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GriefGurus

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegriefgurus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefgurus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GriefGurus/

Lisa McFarland: https://lisamcfarland.com/

Carol Banens: https://carolbanens.com/

Information on books written and published by Lisa and Carol can be found on their individual websites, social media profiles and Amazon.

Grief is part of your story. But not the whole story.

After the death of a loved one, many people are surprised by how difficult everyday life becomes.

You may find yourself forgetting appointments, struggling to focus, rereading the same page over and over, losing track of conversations, or feeling mentally exhausted by tasks that once felt simple. Some people begin to wonder if something is wrong with them.

The truth is that grief affects far more than our emotions.

Grief can impact attention, memory, concentration, decision-making, motivation, and even our ability to complete everyday tasks. What many people describe as "grief brain" is a common response to profound loss.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why grief can make it difficult to focus
• The connection between grief, stress, and cognitive function
• Why memory problems are common after loss
• The emotional impact of no longer functioning the way you once did
• How to practice self-compassion during periods of mental fog

If you've ever found yourself wondering why you can't think, remember, organize, or function the way you used to before your loss, you're not alone.

Your brain isn't failing.

Your heart is carrying something incredibly heavy.

And understanding that can be an important step toward healing. ❤️

👉 Follow for tools to navigate grief and difficult emotions and visit www.thegriefgurus.com for practical conversations about grief, coping, and living after loss.

#TheGriefGurus #CarolBanens #LisaMcFarland #healing

Show Notes + Resources:

Grief Gurus Healing Community: www.thegriefgurus.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GriefGurus

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thegriefgurus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefgurus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GriefGurus/

Lisa McFarland: https://lisamcfarland.com/

Carol Banens: https://carolbanens.com/

Information on books written and published by Lisa and Carol can be found on their individual websites, social media profiles and Amazon.