When someone you care about is grieving, the pressure to say the right thing can be paralyzing. You want to help, but you don't want to make it worse. In this episode, I break down exactly what to say—and what not to say—when someone is dealing with profound loss. We cover why "let me know if you need anything" actually creates more burden for the grieving person, how to eliminate open-ended questions that force them to manage your emotions, and why false positivity is the fastest way to push them away. I'll give you the exact words and actions that show up ...
When someone you care about is grieving, the pressure to say the right thing can be paralyzing. You want to help, but you don't want to make it worse. In this episode, I break down exactly what to say—and what not to say—when someone is dealing with profound loss. We cover why "let me know if you need anything" actually creates more burden for the grieving person, how to eliminate open-ended questions that force them to manage your emotions, and why false positivity is the fastest way to push them away. I'll give you the exact words and actions that show up for people in their darkest moments without requiring them to ask for permission.
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0:00 The Pressure of Saying the Right Thing
3:18 Why You Should Never Say Let Me Know If You Need Anything
6:30 How to Show Up Without Asking for Permission
8:55 Eliminate Open Ended Questions
11:02 Don't Make Them Manage Your Emotions
14:12 The Power of Short Consistent Messages
16:33 Why False Positivity Backfires
18:04 How to Lean Into Their Pain Instead
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