Permission to Grieve: How to Carry Loss Without Losing Yourself (Grief Support & Midlife Healing)

One sentence can change the way you carry loss—and for our guest Laura Bratton, that sentence was, “I want to give you permission to grieve.”In this deeply moving conversation, Laura—an author, speaker, and resilience coach—shares how she learned to move forward without denying the pain of what she had lost. After beginning to lose her sight at age nine and becoming completely blind by the end of high school, she faced depression, daily panic attacks, and the difficult work of rebuilding her identity and independence.Laura reveals why she initially rejected gratitude and how one simple daily practice eventually transformed her mindset: writing down three things she was grateful for. This wasn’t about being thankful for the hardship. It was about recognizing the support, tools, relationships, and resources that helped her navigate it—including the guide dog that restored a powerful sense of freedom.We also explore mindfulness as a practical tool for interrupting anxiety, learning to recognize that thoughts are not always facts, and responding to fear with greater awareness. Laura offers a refreshing definition of grit—not as pushing through pain or “getting over it,” but as combining self-compassion with the courage to take the next step.If you are navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, disability, or an unexpected life transition, this episode offers an honest and hopeful approach to resilience. You’ll discover how gratitude, mindfulness, and self-compassion can help you carry what happened without allowing it to define what happens next.Subscribe to the V.I.B.E. Living Podcast, share this episode with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a review telling us the insight you’re choosing to carry forward.Bio At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight.  Laura adjusted to her new normal and was able to move forward in life as she graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in psychology. She then was the first blind student to receive her Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.  She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude.Social Media LinkedInWebsite Please Patronize Our Sponsors  Healthy aging starts from the inside out. Great Lakes Wellness Collagen is made with clean, grass-fed collagen peptides that are iGen Non-GMO tested, dissolve effortlessly in hot or cold liquids, and fit seamlessly into your daily routine. I personally use it to support healthy skin, stronger hair, joint comfort, and gut health. If you're looking for a simple way to nourish your body after 40, this is one of my favorite daily wellness essentials. Learn more by clicking here. Special Discount Code: VIBEWELLNESSWOMAN🌿 WOMANESSWomaness offers thoughtfully formulated, non-prescription solutions designed to support women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. From sleep and mood to hot flashes, skin, and intimacy, their products focus on the real changes women experience during this stage of life. CLICK HERE