The Hidden Cost of Unprocessed Grief
Episode Description: In this episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker delves into the often-overlooked process of truly understanding and working through grief. She challenges the misconceptions around "moving on" and highlights the importance of acknowledging and processing pain as essential steps toward healing. Through personal experiences and expert insights, Sharon shares a powerful approach to grief that transforms pain into progress.
Key Points Discussed:
Why Grief Feels Endless
Many people struggle with lingering grief for years because they were never taught how to process it properly.
Healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning to carry grief in a healthy way.
Ignoring pain only intensifies it, making healing feel impossible.
Acknowledging the Pain as a First Step
The first step to healing is recognizing and allowing yourself to feel the pain of grief.
Suppressing grief leads to emotional wounds that can fester, much like an untreated physical injury.
Saying "This hurts" and acknowledging grief's presence is a powerful act of self-compassion.
The Role of Processing Grief
Healing requires intentional work—grief is not something you simply "get over."
Before true emotional healing can begin, one must first learn how to grieve.
Processing grief involves daily, small steps rather than a single breakthrough moment.
Understanding the Two-Part Healing Approach
Processing the Pain of Grief: Identifying and working through the pain step by step.
The Courage to Grieve: Once pain has been processed, this stage allows for deeper grief work and transformation.
Healing is not about erasing pain but about learning to tend to it properly.
Journal Questions for Reflection:
Have you been avoiding your grief, and if so, in what ways?
How does unprocessed pain show up in your life?
What small steps can you take today to begin acknowledging and tending to your grief?
How can you reframe your grief as a process rather than something to "get over"?
Conclusion: Grief is not an enemy—it is a signal that healing needs to take place. Sharon encourages listeners to take the first step by acknowledging their pain and starting the process of working through it. With the right tools and mindset, grief can become a pathway to resilience and growth rather than an overwhelming burden.
Resources and Support:
Join Grief Study Hall – Connect with others in a supportive environment: Tuesdays at 1 PM CST & Thursdays at 10 AM CST.
Processing the Pain of Grief Program – A step-by-step guide to tending to your grief.
Website: healingstartswiththeheart.com
Facebook Group: The Grief School
Contact: Email Sharon at sharon@sharonbrubaker.com
Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more conversations on healing, grief, and resilience.
