This episode is one of most powerful ones yet. We delve into one of the most profound and often overlooked aspects of our lives: grief in midlife. At every transition in life, we encounter a loss of what once was as we move into the next phase, or regret about things we wish we did do, or that we didn’t do. This can bring about a deep sense of grief that, if not properly addressed, can turn into frustration and other difficult emotions. Midlife is one of those transitions, a time when so much is changing for us.
In this episode, I am joined by the insightful Devori Nussbaum, who outlines and describes three essential steps of grieving.
The first step is Awareness, which involves recognizing and acknowledging the feelings you are having and accepting them – with softness, without judgment.
The second step, is about becoming very clear about what is in your Circle of Choice. It’s about gaining clarity on what aspects of the situation we have control over and what aspects are really in the realm of others. The “Circle of Choice” is a powerful concept that helps us focus on the choices we can make in our lives and not dwell on what we cannot control. This clarity can empower us to take actionable steps towards a better life, reducing feelings of helplessness and frustration.
The final step is Processing the Grief, and involves actively working through the emotions and integrating the loss and changes into our lives.
Throughout the conversation, Devori emphasizes the importance of body-mind approaches, which can include practices like mindfulness, meditation, physical exercise, and other therapeutic activities. These practices can help us connect with our emotions on a deeper level and promote holistic healing.
Through this very powerful conversation, we explore how to navigate our feelings, especially in situations like dealing with our children moving out and not staying in touch as often as we’d like. Devori shares valuable insights and practical strategies to help us work through these steps, reminding us that it’s never too late to address our grief and find peace.
Join us as we uncover practical strategies and heartfelt insights to help us manage and heal from grief that can come up in midlife. Life is getting even better.
SHOW NOTES
04:27 – Midlife is a transition point and a time when issues may arise
07:59 – The Journey of Self-Awareness and Processing Grief
09:00 – Step 1: Awareness
18:34 – How to Access Self-Awareness
23:19 – Step 2: Clarity Over What is in My Circle of Choice (Boundaries)
26:57 – Navigating Parent-Child Boundaries
36:34 – Step 3: Processing Grief and Embracing Change
38:50 – Understanding and Managing Emotions Through Somatic Practices
41:36 – The Power of Acknowledgment and Moving Forward
47:27 – Acting Based on the New Awareness
50:00 – Exploring the Concept of Control vs. Choice
51:44 – The Transformative Potential of Grieving and Growth
54:36 – The Impact of Your Personal Growth on Future Generations
1:00:31 – Wrapping Up
