You’re Not Broken, You’re Grieving: How to Name, Feel, and Grow Through It

What if the exhaustion you’re carrying… is actually grief? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Kelley Bonner opens up about the layered, often invisible nature of grief—and how it has quietly shaped her healing. From the loss of her father to unexpected feelings around legacy, motherhood, and slowing down, this episode is a compassionate invitation to feel what’s real, honor what’s hard, and still choose expansion. Grief doesn’t have to shrink you. It can soften you, grow you, and gently guide you into a more grounded version of yourself.

What You’ll Learn

• How grief shows up beyond death—through broken dreams, career changes, and shifting identities
• Why slowing down can be a sacred and necessary act of healing
• How to listen to your body’s cues during a season of loss
• Gentle tools to transform grief into personal growth

Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

[00:03:00] – Naming the Hidden Grief Beneath Burnout

Kelley reframes anxiety, anger, and burnout as signs of unacknowledged grief.

[00:10:35] – Grief Will Slow You Down (And That’s a Gift)

Kelley shares how loss forced her into stillness, softness, and deeper presence.

[00:14:49] – Grief Expands More Than Pain

Unexpected emotions can rise—career regret, lost dreams, and shifting identity.

[00:22:15] – Three Invitations for Healing Through Grief

In the final section, Kelley shares three powerful practices to process grief: (1) honor the pause, (2) let your body lead, and (3) allow buried feelings to surface gently. Each tip is an invitation to let grief expand—not harden—your heart.

Be part of our upcoming Q&A Episode:

Got a question you’ve been holding onto? Ask me anything, life, healing, boundaries, burnout.

Click to fill out our google form or DM @blackgirlburnout to be part of our upcoming Q&A episode.

Support This Show

If this episode held space for your grief, send it to someone who’s grieving too. Share it in a group chat, post a moment that resonated, or tag @blackgirlburnout on social. We’re not just sharing stories—we’re building a sanctuary. One rooted in healing, softness, and radical self-compassion.

Remember: You’re not broken—just breaking open. Let grief grow you.

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STAY IN TOUCH

If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:

• Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.
• Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.
• Work with Kelley directly:
• If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now.

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