We don't "move on" from grief. We move forward with it | Nora McInerny
Apr 26, 2022
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Nora McInerny shares her hard-earned wisdom about life and death, encouraging us to shift how we approach grief. She discusses her personal experiences with grief and loss, the ongoing presence of her deceased partner in her life, and how falling in love again brought forth a deeper understanding of her loss. She also explores the experiences of individuals coping with profound losses and discusses the biological impact of grief.
Grief is a lifelong process, and moving forward doesn't mean moving on, but rather finding ways to continue with the memories and love of those lost.
Grief has biological impacts on our brains and bodies, leading to chronic stress, trouble sleeping, and increased risk of heart-related issues. Seeking support, journaling, and practicing self-care can help alleviate stress.
Deep dives
Moving Forward with Grief
Nora McInerney shares her personal experiences of grief, including the loss of multiple loved ones and her journey to navigate through the pain. She emphasizes that grief is a lifelong process and that moving forward doesn't mean moving on, but rather finding ways to continue with the memories and love of those lost.
The Biological Impacts of Grief
Grief not only affects us emotionally, but also has biological impacts on our brains and bodies. The brain goes through a learning process to adjust to the loss, and chronic stress is common during the early stages of grief, which can have physical implications such as trouble sleeping and increased risk of heart-related issues. Nora offers advice on how to alleviate stress, including seeking support from professionals, journaling, and practicing self-care.
Supporting Those Who Are Grieving
When it comes to supporting someone who is grieving, being present, a good listener, and providing a safe space for them to share their emotions are crucial. Acknowledging that discomfort is part of the grieving process and understanding that the memory and love for the deceased person always remain create a foundation for offering compassionate support.
In a talk that's by turns heartbreaking and hilarious, writer and podcaster Nora McInerny shares her hard-earned wisdom about life and death. Her candid approach to something that will, let's face it, affect us all, is as liberating as it is gut-wrenching. Most powerfully, she encourages us to shift how we approach grief. "A grieving person is going to laugh again and smile again," she says. "They're going to move forward. But that doesn't mean that they've moved on."