Say Their Name: Six Ways to Support Someone You Love Through Grief with Sophia Dawson #9

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today's episode is a little different for me (and definitely my most candid). It's a solo one, recorded from a place I truly never imagined I'd be speaking from. Very recently, I lost somebody very close to me, unexpectedly and far, far too soon. And in the weeks since, I have been so deeply held by the most incredible, intentional people in my life who have shown up for me in the most beautiful ways, who have inspired today’s podcast.It has made me realise, both as a senior psychologist and as someone who is currently bereaved myself, how much we as a society really struggle with grief — and how many well-intentioned, beautiful people feel so unequipped to support someone they love through a loss.So this episode is a practical toolkit for the supporters of those who are grieving. If somebody in your life has lost a parent, partner, sibling, child, or friend, and you want to know how to show up for them in the best way, this one is absolutely for you.I explore:Why we as a society struggle so much with grief, and what's really happening underneath all our well-intentioned avoidanceWhy supporting the bereaved is, at its heart, a practice in staying (and not in fixing)My six practical tools: saying their name, jumping in with your clothes on, helping carry the mundane, supporting the continuing bond, showing up long after everyone else stops, and holding space for whatever needs to be spokenA few things I gently encourage you to be mindful of (including religious assumptions, big life changes, and changing the subject when their person comes up)What the bereaved themselves want you to know, in their own words - verbatim from my beautiful Instagram community✨ A gentle note from me: this episode discusses sudden bereavement. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and come back to it whenever you feel ready.Books I reference throughout (all in the links below):Resilient Grieving by Dr Lucy HoneThe Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis WellerBearing the Unbearable by Joanne CacciatoreWith so much gratitude to the Instagram community members who so generously shared their words and lived experience. This one is dedicated to the beautiful humans in my own life who have shown up for me. If you are walking alongside someone who is grieving right now, thank you. It is one of the most sacred kinds of love there is. And if you are the one inside the grief yourself - I am walking alongside you. Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:Website & Client Enquiries Learn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the Newsletter My monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlog Take a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE.