October 07, 2025

Wait, Is This Grief?

20 minutes

Welcome to A Solo Person’s Guide to ADHD, hosted by Christine Dunning, Master Certified Life Coach and founder of Two Cats Coaching.

Have you ever burst into tears during a random commercial—or found yourself deeply affected by a movie that wasn’t even sad? You’re not alone. This episode kicks off a five-part series exploring ADHD and grief—why it hits differently, how it shows up unexpectedly, and what it means for those of us who live solo.

Christine is joined by her longtime friend Rev. Stacy Collins, MDiv, a hospice chaplain and fellow late-diagnosed ADHDer, to talk about the emotional rollercoaster of loss—whether it’s a person, a pet, a dream, or even a sense of safety.

Together, they explore:

How grief actually works (spoiler: it’s not linear)
The “grief wheel” and why ADHDers may spiral differently
Emotional dysregulation and “forgetting you’re grieving”
Shame and self-blame in the grieving process
Community grief—when tragedy strikes close to home
The unique challenges of solo grieving
Why support systems matter (yes, even when you’re independent)

💬 “If you don’t process the grief, it’s going to process you.” — Christine

🕯️ “I give myself and others permission to grieve at their own pace.” — Lee Horbaczewski

🧠 About This Series

This is Episode 1 of 5 in the ADHD & Grief series:

What Is Grief (and How Do I Know I’m Feeling It?)
Losing Loved Ones: ADHD and the Weight of Goodbye
The Quiet Ones Hurt the Most – Pet Grief
The Life I Didn’t Live – Grieving Lost Dreams
Rituals and Real Talk – Creating ADHD-Friendly Grief Rituals

🐾 Mentioned in This Episode

Grief Spiral (www.TwoCatsCoaching.com)
Quote by Lee Horbaczewski on permission to grieve
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.)

⚠️ Disclaimer

If this conversation brings up difficult emotions or you find yourself struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional.
In the U.S., you can call 911 in an emergency or 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.

🐈‍⬛ Connect with Christine