We explore how grief moves like a spiral through life, how it reshapes identity and marriage, and why presence matters more than platitudes. Alexandra Carroll shares her story, reframes the stages, and offers practical tools for self-kindness, attunement, and meaning.

• stages as observations, not a rigid program
• grief as spiral with triggers across the year
• why each person grieves differently
• words to avoid and what to say instead
• talk less, listen more as core support
• setting a place at the table in marriage
• self-kindness through outsourcing and rest
• quiet, social media fasting, grief fasting
• building a grief calendar and planning care
• finding meaning after acceptance

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