Grief City

Shakira wasn't kidding. Hips don't lie. 🙃We often think of grief as something that's only emotional, but it's physical too. It becomes this whole mind-and-body experience.As if the emotional weight wasn't enough, grief can show up as tension, exhaustion, aches, brain fog, and so many other physical symptoms. It can feel incredibly overwhelming.If you've been wondering why your body feels different after loss, you're not imagining it. I hope this week's Griefy Tip helps you feel a little more understood. 🤍

One of the biggest fears after loss is forgetting the people we love.It's a terrifying thought.As the weight of my grief slowly became a little lighter, that fear actually grew louder. I started wondering, What if I forget his voice? His laugh? The little things that made him him?This week's Griefy Tip is about those complicated emotions.Grief changes. It softens, reshapes, and looks different as time goes on. But love doesn't disappear just because grief evolves. We don't leave our loved ones behind as we heal. We carry them with us in new ways.

It's strange how the very things that once annoyed us about the people we love can become the things we'd give anything to experience again.After someone dies, so many of those little frustrations begin to fade. Their habits, quirks, and imperfections don't seem nearly as important anymore.You'd gladly take every one of them back if it meant you could have one more day together.Have you experienced this in your grief, too?

Grief can be deeply isolating.In the early days after my loss, I worked from home and spent most of my days alone. Without even realizing it, I became trapped in what I can only describe as a grief echo chamber. The more isolated I became, the louder my thoughts, fears, and emotions grew.I believe every griever needs to make space to sit with their grief. We can't heal by avoiding it.But I also believe every griever needs to step outside of that echo chamber from time to time.Sometimes that looks like meeting a friend for coffee. Taking a walk. Sitting in a park. Running an errand. Calling someone who feels safe. Not because it makes the grief disappear, but because it gently reminds us that there's still a world beyond our pain.

Loss changes us.Does it change everything about us? Not necessarily. But it does change us.One of the hardest parts of grief is learning to accept who you are after loss. Because accepting this new version of yourself often means accepting that they're really gone.It's complicated. It's uncomfortable. It's heartbreaking.But there can also be something beautiful in getting to know yourself again.I hope this Griefy Tip encourages you to begin loving who you are after loss—the messy parts, the beautiful parts, and all the pieces still finding their place. ❤️‍🩹

Grief changing can feel almost as unsettling as grief itself.For so long, the pain feels overwhelming and ever-present. Then one day you realize you're crying less, thinking about them differently, or carrying the loss with a little less weight. And strangely, that can bring up guilt, confusion, or even fear.In this Griefy Tip, I talk about the shifting nature of grief and why those changes don't mean you're forgetting your person. They don't mean you loved them less.They mean you're doing what humans are designed to do: adapt, grow, and heal.If your grief feels different from how it used to, you're not doing it wrong. ❤️‍🩹,

I have very mixed feelings about viewings, funerals, and memorial services.On one hand, I love that they create space to hear stories, connect with people who loved your person, and celebrate a life that mattered.On the other hand, they can be incredibly overwhelming. You're grieving one of the biggest losses of your life while simultaneously greeting dozens (or hundreds) of people, making decisions, managing logistics, and trying to hold yourself together.It's a lot.Whatever your thoughts are on these gatherings, I hope this Griefy Tip serves as a reminder to take a breath. Whether you're planning a service, standing through a visitation line, or simply feeling exhausted by the emotional weight of it all, you deserve moments of peace too.Because after everyone goes home, we're the ones who continue carrying the weight of the loss.We have to look after our hearts, too. ❤️‍🩹,

All the significant dates can feel so intense after a loss, especially the “firsts” without them. The first Christmas. The first birthday. Anniversaries, special times of the year, even the first time you do something they used to do with you. There are so many firsts. They’re never easy, but I hope this Griefy Tip reminds you to make space for your grief and all the big emotions that can flood in on those days.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

When I started working on my healing after loss, all I wanted was to feel better. I was so tired of the sadness and heaviness each day. But healing is rarely instant, and I think we need to be more gracious with ourselves in that process.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

When you feel grief for the first time, it's overwhelming and uncomfortable, and all you want is a fix. The tough part is… There is no fix. But there is healing.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Grief needs somewhere to go. In my experience, it will eventually come out in either healthy ways or unhealthy ways. Most of us experience both at different points in our grief. But I’ve found much more peace and healing when I give my grief a healthy outlet.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

After the trauma of loss, it can be really hard to imagine that anything good could still exist in life. It becomes surprisingly easy to adopt that belief. Many of us find ourselves there at some point in grief. But it’s an important thought to challenge. Loss changes our lives deeply, but it doesn’t mean that goodness has disappeared forever.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

It’s natural to feel some fear when thinking about doing things you used to do with your loved one, or doing things they loved after they’re gone. The fear that it might make you emotional is real. But sometimes those moments can also make you feel close to them again in a way you didn’t expect.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Healing after loss isn’t the easy, straightforward path we wish it could be. It’s messy. Some days it can feel like it will never happen. The hard truth is that healing usually doesn’t just show up one day out of nowhere. It asks something of us. It asks us to show up for it, little by little.This was one of the toughest parts of grief for me to accept, especially when I was in the depths of agony and could barely imagine things ever feeling different. But I share this as a reminder that the pain you feel right now does not have to last forever. You will always miss them, and that love doesn’t go away. But the weight of grief can soften with the care you give yourself along the way.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Why do we feel the need to apologize for having big emotions after losing someone we love? I still catch myself doing this sometimes. When we live in a world that doesn’t always know how to respond to grief, it’s easy to start explaining ourselves, minimizing our feelings, or apologizing for them. But this is loss. There is nothing to apologize for. Your grief doesn’t need to be justified, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation for the love you’re carrying.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Jealousy is one of those emotions I grew up believing was bad, bad, bad. And in a lot of situations, it probably is. But in grief, I think it can be a very normal thing to experience. It’s hard to watch other people still have their loved ones here and see them do all the things you wish you could still do with yours. If that feeling shows up for you, try not to shame yourself for it. Meet it with compassion instead.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Grief is more than just an emotional experience — it’s a physical one too. This is one part of grief I really struggle with because it can come with real physical discomfort and pain. Grief doesn’t just live in our hearts; it lives in our bodies. When we’re aware of that, it’s important to take small steps to care for ourselves physically too — rest, movement, breathing, whatever support your body might need.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

This is one of those “I didn’t expect to feel this way” parts of grief. In the early days after my loss, crowded rooms and social gatherings felt incredibly hard. I could be surrounded by people and still feel completely alone. If you’ve experienced that too, you’re not strange, and you’re not broken. It’s actually a very normal part of grief.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Sometimes, keeping holiday traditions is exactly what helps us feel close to the ones we miss. Other times, creating something new is what brings peace during this season. There’s no right or wrong way to move through the holidays—only what feels right for you. But I want to encourage you to try something new. You might be surprised by the peace and joy that can come from a new tradition.

This is a big one. If you’ve been listening to the podcast long enough, you know I believe in setting boundaries—while also not being so rigid that they become walls. That said, this is one boundary I feel strongly about. It’s especially important during the holiday season, but honestly, it matters year-round.Will we encounter people throughout our lives who don’t honor our grief or who say insensitive things? Of course. That’s inevitable. But I’ve learned how important it is to be intentional about who I spend the most time with—choosing people who truly honor my grief, especially during the harder seasons of the year when it tends to feel heavier than ever.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that as significant dates and holidays approach, my grief tends to swell—especially when I’m not giving it space to be felt.This Griefy Tip is all about that. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll permit yourself to feel whatever comes up this season.Buried grief has a way of surfacing in forms that don’t serve us. It’s a tender time—let yourself process the emotions as they arise. You’re allowed to make space for your grief.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:  / newellamusic  📱 Follow along on TikTok:  / newellamusic  

This holiday season can hold both beauty and heartbreak after losing a loved one. It’s incredibly hard to accept that two opposite truths can exist at the same time.Often, it feels easier to immerse ourselves in just one of those truths, because holding both can be uncomfortable. But as we open our hearts to the difficulties of this season—and also open our eyes to its moments of beauty—I hope you discover a sense of peace in that in-between space.Let's Stay Connected:🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

The holiday season can feel especially heavy without the ones we love. During these tender times, setting boundaries is essential—but do they always need to be rigid?In this new Griefy Tip, I’m sharing how to honor your needs while still allowing room for connection and compassion.You don't have to do this grief journey alone. Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR..⁠.📱 Follow along on Instagram:⁠  / newellamusic  ⁠📱 Follow along on TikTok:⁠  / newellamusic  

I used to believe that the daily agony I felt after my loss would last for the rest of my existence—truly, I did.But there came a point when my heart slowly began to heal, and the constant agony eased. You’d think that would make anyone feel better, yet when it started happening, it filled me with guilt. It was strange. As the daily misery began to fade, I felt like I was leaving my dad behind.But that wasn’t true. I was never leaving him behind—I was healing. I was learning to carry him with me through joy, through happy moments, and throughout my day.In this Griefy Tip, I share about the bond I built with misery for so long and how I believed it was the only way to keep my dad close. I still have terrible days that knock me down, but eventually I realized I didn’t need to cling to misery anymore. I didn’t have to feel guilty for healing, because carrying my dad—his memory, his love—never required me to keep holding onto agony.You don't have to do this grief journey alone. Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:  / newellamusic  📱 Follow along on TikTok:  / newellamusic  

Wow. What a season. So many tears, so many moments of healing, laughter, and connection. So many important conversations. I feel nothing but deep gratitude—for you, for every guest I had the privilege of speaking with this season, and for the ability to create something meaningful out of a tragedy I once thought would break me completely.I didn’t know if I’d ever find purpose or peace again. I always say this… I hate that I’m only here because someone I miss every day is gone, and my heart aches that you understand that pain too. But I’m also deeply grateful to be walking this journey with you, even with all its complicated layers.In this season finale, I’m looking back at some of my favorite moments from Season Two of Griefy City—stories, conversations, lessons, and reflections—as well as what’s coming next. Thank you for listening. More than anything, I hope this podcast helps you feel seen, understood, and held.We are still doing Griefy & Grateful, and it’s not too late to join. You can download your printable journal with the daily prompts at NewellaMusic.com/Griefy. While preparing for Season Three, I’ll also be finishing the songs on Good Grief Vol. II, and I cannot wait to share them with you. A new season of the podcast is coming in 2026, and I’m already excited for where we’ll go together.In the meantime, I’ll keep sharing weekly Griefy Tips and posting daily on social media—including some special holiday-edition tips that I hope bring support during what can be an especially hard time of year. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for an incredible season. I know how challenging it is to miss our loved ones during the holidays, and I pray you find peace, comfort, and even small moments of joy in the weeks ahead.Always here to listen and talk <3Let's stay connected:🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:  / newellamusic  📱 Follow along on TikTok:  / newellamusic  

After my loss, I was highly motivated… to stay sad and hide under the covers all day. But motivation for work, projects, or even the things that were supposed to help me heal? That was a whole different struggle.In today’s Griefy Tip, I’m talking about that tug-of-war—wanting to heal but feeling completely stuck. I’m sharing my own experience and a simple, practical piece of advice that might help you find a bit of momentum.Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Grief needs to be expressed — it can’t stay locked inside. When it goes unprocessed, it often finds its way out later in ways that can be painful or confusing, both for you and for those around you.You’ve probably heard the phrase “you have to process your losses” — and for good reason. We can’t go around grief; we have to move through it. Healing does come, but it isn’t easy. It’s uncomfortable, messy, yet absolutely vital.That’s what today’s Griefy Tip is all about. I’m sharing a bit of my own experience and offering a few simple ways to begin processing your grief — gentle approaches that might work for you too.And most importantly, as you walk through this journey, please remember: you are never alone.Always here to listen. 🤍🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Finding griefy friends can be tough. A lot of times, we think people who’ve experienced the same kind of loss as us will automatically be the best kind of support — and while that’s true for some, it’s not always the case.In this Griefy Tip episode, I talk about my experience in early grief — trying to connect with people who understood father loss — and what I’ve learned along the way about what to look for in griefy friends who truly get it. I haven’t quite found those friends just yet, but I still believe they’re out there. If you’ve had a hard time finding your people, don’t stop searching.You shouldn't have to navigate grief alone. Let's stay connected:🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Anxiety about all sorts of things seems to be a common experience for many of us who are grieving. Anxiety before loss was hard enough, but after loss, it can feel so much more intense. I want you to know that this is completely normal—and if you’re going through it, I’m so sorry. It can be truly overwhelming.In this Griefy Tip episode, I share a bit about my own experience with anxiety after loss and how it’s eased over the years as I’ve continued to process my grief.I hope that this short episode encourages you, that you feel less alone, and reminded that it doesn’t have to stay this way.If this Griefy Tip resonated with you, I’d love for you to follow along with the Grief City Podcast. I hope to keep walking with and supporting more people through the hardest seasons of their lives. We can't do this grief journey alone.

Pet loss is an incredibly common—and deeply painful—kind of grief. Last Thanksgiving, we said goodbye to our sweet dog, Poe, a blue-nosed pit bull we rescued five years ago from a kill shelter in South LA.Poe brought so much joy, peace, and comfort into our lives, especially after the loss of my dad. Even when you know your pet won’t live forever, nothing truly prepares you for the heartbreak when they’re gone.In this episode, I share my personal experience with losing Poe—what it was like facing his health complications, the weight of that grief, and how we eventually opened our hearts to love another little companion. I also reflect on the similarities and differences between losing a parent and losing a pet.If you’ve experienced the loss of a beloved animal, I hope this episode brings you comfort, validates your grief, and reminds you that you’re not alone.You shouldn't have to navigate grief alone. Let's stay connected: 🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

The seven stages of grief are widely accepted—but grief isn’t that simple. While each stage reflects a valid emotion many grievers experience, the idea that you move through them in order and then you’re “done” grieving just isn’t accurate. Grief doesn't follow a timeline, and it definitely doesn’t fit neatly into boxes. In this Griefy Tip episode, we’re talking about how the stages can help us understand grief—but also how they can limit our understanding of what grief really looks like.

I know how hard it can be to feel joy after losing someone you love. But even the smallest moments of joy are essential for healing. It doesn’t have to change your whole day—sometimes, it’s enough to notice joy in the little things, the simple things. They matter more than we realize. That's what this Griefy Tip is all about.Today, I hope you find a bit of that joy—something small that makes you smile, even if just for a moment.

Ever feel like skipping your birthday because, after loss, it just doesn’t feel worth celebrating?Yeah... I’ve been there too.When my dad passed away in 2021, my birthday came less than a month later—and it was one of the hardest days I’ve ever faced. Since then, birthdays have carried a bittersweet weight.Today, as I turn 33, I want to share a few thoughts from the heart. This episode is for anyone who’s navigating a birthday through the fog of grief. Let’s acknowledge the pain, but also make space for love, care, and the quiet reminder that being alive—despite it all—is still a gift.You shouldn't have to navigate grief alone, let's stay connected:🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:  / newellamusic  📱 Follow along on TikTok:  / newellamusic  

I wish this wasn’t part of grief—but it is.The stress of loss can overwhelm both your brain and body. Forgetfulness, poor decision-making, and that heavy “foggy” feeling? They’re all common experiences after loss.In this Griefy Tip episode, I’m talking about Grief Brain—what it is, how it shows up, and a few ways you can find some relief along the way.

I know — it sounds ridiculously simple, and definitely not profound. But taking walks has been one of the most powerful tools for my emotional well-being after loss.You’ve probably heard it before, and there’s a reason for that: it works.In this short episode, I’m sharing why something as ordinary as going outside and moving your body can make an extraordinary difference — especially on the heavy days.So… go take a walk today. Really.

At 13, Melvin Adams lost his father. But the grief he felt wasn’t just about losing a parent — it was about losing the possibility of the father he never really had. His dad hadn’t shown up the way a father should, and that kind of loss comes with its own layers of pain.And yet, through that loss, something unexpected happened: other men stepped in. Coaches, mentors, even my own dad — they became the father figures who helped shape Melvin into the man, leader, and father he is today.In this episode, Melvin shares his powerful journey from father loss to healing — from growing up in hurt to becoming a Harlem Globetrotter and motivational speaker who now inspires kids across the country. We talk about grief, manhood, mentorship, and the quiet power of the people who show up when it matters most.

Nothing truly prepares you for the shift that happens after losing a parent.It’s not just about missing them—it’s about navigating the sudden changes in family roles and dynamics that follow. It’s heavy, it’s complicated, and it’s real. This griefy tip is here to remind you that you’re not alone in feeling all of it—the confusion, the frustration, and the emotional weight of these shifts.

Okay, this one might feel like tough love—but hear me out. Before anything else, take the time you need to truly feel the weight of your grief. No one is rushing you. When you're ready to begin the healing process, know that it will ask something of you: to show up, day by day. Not perfectly—just honestly.That's what today's Griefy Tip is all about—healing, and how it requires your participation.

When my father, someone who had always encouraged me in my faith, passed away, I found myself questioning everything. I didn’t want to hold onto God anymore.In this episode, I share the struggles and doubts I faced in the aftermath of my loss—how, at times, it felt like God was distant or that I was being punished (something I know many of us can relate to). But through it all, I realized God was there with me, even when I couldn’t see it. Healing began when I invited Him into my grief.Whether you’re barely holding on to God or have walked away from your faith completely, I hope this episode encourages you to ask Him your questions… He’s faithful to answer them.You shouldn't have to navigate grief alone. Let's stay connected:🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

Few things shake our faith more deeply than walking through trauma. After my own loss, I spent months wrestling with God, asking “why,” and struggling to hold on to my faith. I’ve long wanted to have this important conversation about faith after loss with someone who truly understands what it means to navigate deep grief while still holding on to God. That’s why I knew Natasha Smith was the perfect person to have it with.Natasha is an author, grief educator, podcast host, and a woman full of wisdom who has walked through the heartache of losing many loved ones. She knows what it’s like to feel anger toward God — and also what it means to rediscover hope.This conversation is raw, honest, and life-giving. It’s a real and vulnerable look at what it means to walk with God through grief.My prayer is that this episode encourages you to keep asking God your hard questions, to give yourself permission to feel all the emotions that come with loss, and to discover that even when God feels far away, He’s never left your side. He’s right there — longing to comfort you and wipe your tears.Natasha also offers a wealth of resources for those walking through grief — tools that can bring real encouragement and help make the journey feel a little less lonely. I highly encourage you to follow her work and check out her books.May this conversation meet you right where you are and bring you deep encouragement.Follow along with Natasha:Follow Natasha on social media: @ImNatashaSmithNatasha's Website: https://imnatashasmith.com/Natasha's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BV67TP79/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=7a814222-b70a-4658-a35e-8f3d675bcd38

People tend to say some wild things after a loss. Honestly, I could probably fill an entire episode with the bizarre, awkward, or downright hurtful comments I’ve heard. Something about tragedy seems to draw out the most unfiltered responses—maybe it’s the discomfort, the high emotions, or just not knowing what to say.This is one Griefy Tip I really wish I had followed more closely: how to deal with those painful words. I hope this helps you navigate those moments—and gives you permission to feel what you feel and speak up when you need to.

Loss has a way of touching every part of your life.It seeps into everyday moments, making even the ordinary feel different. Grief reveals parts of us we didn’t know were there—it changes us. Sometimes in ways we welcome, sometimes in ways we don’t.In this episode, I wanted to share some personal stories about how I’ve felt the ripple effect of loss in my own life.None of us would ever choose this kind of pain, but as our hearts slowly begin to heal, we can start to honor the ways we’ve changed. We can learn to embrace who we’ve become—and maybe, just maybe, begin to experience a deeper fullness in each moment.

In the weeks after my loss, I kept wondering if I'd ever catch a break from the constant ache of missing them. Grief shifts as our hearts begin to heal — some days lighter, some days heavier — but the missing never really ends. We carry them with us, always.

"You're So Strong" – A Phrase We Love to HateThe phrase "you're so strong" has become a bit of a punching bag in grief spaces — and maybe unfairly so. Many grievers indeed bristle at hearing it. I’ve been on both sides: I’ve said it before I experienced loss, and I’ve heard it after. The discomfort around this phrase is real and valid.But what if we took a step back? What if “you’re so strong” isn’t meant to dismiss your pain or skip past your grief… but instead, is an attempt at offering admiration, respect, or even love? In this episode, I want to explore the complicated layers behind this common phrase — and offer a new way of hearing it that might feel less like a wound and more like a balm.Grief is messy. Words often fall short. But maybe, just maybe, this one doesn’t have to.You're not alone. I'm always here to support and listen.🎶 Listen to my music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart):https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...📱 Follow along on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/newellamusic📱 Follow along on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusic

We are so hard on ourselves, especially as we navigate the depths of something as difficult as loss. Some days, you may have tons of energy — and especially early on, there will be many days when you don’t, and you feel unmotivated. That’s okay. Give yourself grace.

This one might be touchy for some, but there is so much truth behind it. Just because you may feel weak does not mean you are a weak person. The resilience it takes to navigate loss is immense, and while you may not feel proud of that strength today, one day it will encourage you.

Friendship After LossLosing someone you love can be one of the loneliest experiences in life. It often reveals who your true friends are—some show up and support you, others pull away, and many want to help but simply don’t know how.Navigating friendship in the aftermath of grief is complex. There’s no guidebook, no perfect way to show up or be supported. Sometimes, you just need people who get it—those who have walked through loss themselves and can offer presence, empathy, and hope.In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Rachel Dwyer and Kendel Rogers, hosts of the 2 Girls with Grief podcast. Both have experienced profound personal loss, and together they share the story of how grief led them to each other—and how their friendship became a source of healing.As someone who has struggled to find connection after loss and to let myself be vulnerable again, this conversation meant a lot to me. I hope it offers you comfort, connection, and the reminder that the friendships your heart longs for are possible—and worth seeking.No one should have to navigate loss alone. Always here to support & listen. Follow along with Rachel & Kendel:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2Girlswithgriefpod/featuredInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/2girlswithgriefpod/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@2girlswithgriefpodSubstack: https://2girlswithgrief.substack.com/podcastLet's stay connected:Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newellamusicFollow along on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newellamusicListen to My Music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart): https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...

When the memories start to feel like they’re fading… ugh, it’s such a heartbreaking feeling. Honestly, I think it’s one of the biggest fears we face in grief — the fear of forgetting.That’s what Griefy Tip #2 is all about. In this episode, I’ll share a simple, practical way to help keep those memories alive — something you can actually do when that fear starts to creep in or you start forgetting.You’re not alone in this.

When I lost my dad, I was overwhelmed — even reading felt like too much. I quickly realized that grief doesn’t follow a rulebook. I needed to feel it in my own way and give myself permission to heal without pressure.There’s so much helpful information out there for grievers, but it can feel like a lot. That’s why I created Griefy Tips — short, 2–3 minute episodes offering simple, thoughtful advice to help you navigate the chaos of loss.Some tips come from my own journey, others from things people have shared that brought me comfort. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t. My hope is that these little moments can offer peace, clarity, and healing as you move through your grief.

Losing someone you love—especially when their death could have been prevented—can leave you drowning in anger, bitterness, and unanswered questions. In this powerful episode, my friend Aprill Nelson joins me to share the deeply personal story of losing her father during the COVID-19 pandemic.Aprill opens up about the painful realities of medical negligence, her honest wrestle with God, and the road toward healing and forgiveness. She shares how she continues to honor her father’s memory and live with purpose in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.This conversation is raw, redemptive, and full of hope. If you’re grappling with grief, asking “Why, God?”, or finding it hard to let go of bitterness, this episode is for you. Aprill’s story will remind you that healing is possible—even in the face of heartbreak. No one should have to navigate loss alone. Always here to support & listen. Follow along on Instagram:   / newellamusic  Follow along on TikTok:   / newellamusic  Listen to My Music (Griefy Pop for your heavy heart) : https://open.spotify.com/track/6KojoR...