In this conversation, Kyira Wackett and Reese explore the complexities of grief, emphasizing its individual nature and the misconceptions surrounding it. They discuss the emotional journey of grieving, including anticipatory grief, sudden loss, and the struggle to feel a range of emotions, including joy and shame. The dialogue highlights the importance of vulnerability and the need to embrace one's feelings as part of the healing process. In this conversation, Reese and Kyira explore the complexities of grief, particularly complicated grief, and the journey towards healing through art and writing. They discuss the importance of connection and vulnerability in sharing one's emotional pain, and how acceptance plays a crucial role in navigating grief. Reese shares her personal experiences and insights on living with grief, emphasizing the need for self-compassion and the joy of being human amidst loss.

We covered:

• Every grief journey is unique and personal
• Both anticipatory and sudden loss carry their own complexities
• Intellectualizing grief can be a defense against feeling
• Joy and grief can coexist, despite societal pressure
• Shame often accompanies grief expression
• All emotions in grief are valid
• Grief integration rather than "moving on" is key
• Vulnerability and sharing foster healing
• Creative outlets can help process grief
• Self-compassion and acceptance are essential
• Grief is non-linear and requires integration
• Multiple truths can exist simultaneously in grief

More about Cleo:

Cleo Childs released her spoken word poetry album "Moving With" on May 15th. This album is the culmination of two and a half years of writing about the journey of grief she experienced after losing her mom to Alzheimer's when she was 28 years old. Her mother was an English major in college and her grandmother, who is also one of her editors, was an English teacher for 30 years so she came by her grief processing tool of writing poetry naturally. With this spoken word poetry album, she hopes to show the path her grief took from having her mother, losing her mother, and the peace and acceptance she feels now. She also hopes to give an authentic and honest look at what her grief felt like so other people going through grief don't feel alone and feel community in their grief.

Connect with Cleo:

• Website

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• Download the FREE handout, "5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day" and start making those daily shifts to break that shame cycle that's keeping you stuck in that negative headspace.
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Stay Connected:

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Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Grief and Vulnerability
• 05:39 - The Individual Nature of Grief
• 12:25 - Navigating Anticipatory and Sudden Grief
• 17:17 - The Freedom in Feeling Emotions
• 22:10 - Joy and Shame in Grief
• 24:51 - The Healing Power of Art and Writing
• 30:26 - From Isolation to Connection
• 32:03 - Understanding Grief and Acceptance
• 46:50 - The Journey of Being Human