The Real Story Behind the 5 Stages of Grief

You’ve heard of the 5 stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. But what if they were never meant to be a map—just a guide? In Episode 9 of Soulfire, we dig deep into the origin of the 5 stages, what they got right, where they fail, and why grief doesn’t follow neat steps.I share how I tried to force myself through stages, how shame crept in when grief looped back, and how I’ve learned that grief speaks in spirals, not straight lines. You’re invited to release the pressure to “complete” grief and instead lean into a journey of love, pain, and your own path.✨ Soulfire Work: Create a two-column list of “expected stage” vs “my truth.” Reflect on what you resisted. Breathe: “I honor my grief on my own path. There is no wrong way to love.”💌 Want to share your story on Soulfire? DM me on Instagram—you’re invited. @thejesicabush