Grief is the New Normal: S2E4 I'm Not Ghosting You, I'm Grieving

Grief and the Social Battery: Navigating Energy Depletion

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor, a grief psychologist, delves into the exhausting nature of grief and its impact on social interactions. She introduces the concept of 'grief mode' and explains how it affects brain function and the nervous system, leading to extreme fatigue. Dr. Taylor discusses the importance of normalizing and validating the reduced social capacity during grief. She offers practical strategies, such as using 'soft no's, having exit plans, and lowering the bar for connection. The episode also touches on 'spoon theory' to illustrate how grief depletes energy reserves. Personal anecdotes and insights provide a compassionate perspective, emphasizing that it's okay to step back during this challenging time. Dr. Taylor concludes with an invitation for listeners to honor their capacity by setting boundaries that support their grief journey.

00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal

00:22 Understanding Grief and Social Exhaustion

01:33 The Impact of Grief on the Brain and Body

04:37 Navigating Social Interactions While Grieving

06:04 Personal Story: Thanksgiving After Loss

08:46 Adjusting Social Expectations and Boundaries

12:02 Practical Tips for Managing Social Energy

15:39 Recap and Final Thoughts

18:33 Closing Remarks and Resources

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Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.

Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.

No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.

https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

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Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language.

Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

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Opening Music by The Dadicorns

Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

All Rights Reserved.

This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.