Welcome back to the Wake the F*ck Up Podcast. This week Alix and David are excited to share a brand new framework we have been working on around healing loss with self-love. Using self love as a tool for healing your grief is a guiding principle of our work here at Wake Wellness. Like the grief cycle this is sequential but not always linear. Alix sat down with Dr. David to walk through the steps in a live podcast recording session. We’re sharing this 90-minute conversation in two parts, so be sure to turn back in next week for the next half of our conversation.
We have received a ton of great feedback on our YouTube channel from listeners responding to David’s raw and unfiltered insights on male healing and this episode is no different. Listen as Alix walks David through the five steps of healing from loss, from shattering to returning to love.
Step 1: Acute Onset of Shattering - David shares his experience of Betsy's sudden death. Alix and David share an insightful discussion about the different types of grief, from sudden loss to prolonged illness, and how they can impact people differently. You’ll also hear our hosts reflect on some of the more commonly known aspects of grief such as the shock and denial phases that often come immediately in the wake of major loss. David is sharing his grief process in these five steps but this framework can work for any of our listeners processing their grief and learning to heal with self love.
Step 2: Going Inside - Next in the five steps of healing, David shares his struggle with old coping strategies. Discovering the importance of introspection and mindfulness is a key turning point in David’s journey, and as he shares with Alix, is was this phase of grief that led to his realization of needing professional help.
Step 3: Trusting Yourself - David reflects on his experience with therapy and how it helped normalize his grief. David discusses the profound importance of professional help in his healing journey, and cites this as a critical tool for him to begin building self-trust, unlocking self-discovery and learning self-care.
As Alix shares throughout this episode, this framework can work for any of our listeners processing their grief and learning to heal with self love. There are still two more steps for Alix and David to talk through so be sure to tune in next week for part two of this episode. Warning: It gets even more raw and more real as David shares his unfiltered emotions in processing these five steps with Alix. We hope you’ll join us and continue to find these tools useful and helpful in your journey through loss and grief and into self love.
Loved this episode? Here are more resources to help you along your grief journey:
On Death and Dying - by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Scar Tissue - By Anthony Kiedis
The Surrender Experiment - By Michael A. Singer,
Death, Dying & Rebirth: A Look at the Second Birth of Humanity - By Dr. Zach Bush
Finding rebirth through grief - Alix’s blog
Conscious Grieving: A Transformative Approach to Healing from Loss - by Claire Bidwell Smith
A Message of Hope from the Angels - By Lorna Byrne
Open Path Collective - Resource for finding affordable therapy and counseling services
Suicide prevention resources:
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
Call or text 988 to get help. The 988 Lifeline is available for everyone, is free, and confidential. Or visit https://988lifeline.org/ for more resources.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website to find a local chapter, get immediate help, or find resources for survivors of suicide loss.