Unexpected vs Anticipated Loss

What’s harder—losing someone suddenly, or watching the decline for months (or years)?
Let’s be real: both hurt like hell.

In this episode of Grief Unfiltered, I’m breaking down the emotional differences between unexpected and anticipated loss. I’ve lived through both—getting that shocking phone call I never saw coming, and the long, excruciating goodbye to my dad. Both kinds of grief leave a mark, but they show up in different ways—and they ask different things from us.

We’re talking about trauma, guilt, exhaustion, regret, caretaking, and the pressure to “stay strong” when you’re falling apart inside.

Whether you’re grieving someone you lost in an instant or someone you said goodbye to over and over again… your grief is real. And you’re not alone.

📌 Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome: Grief doesn’t come in one flavor
[00:34] What makes sudden loss feel like a gut punch
[01:55] Personal story: losing Justin and my cousin
[06:45] The shock, the guilt, and all the what-ifs
[07:45] Anticipatory grief: the pain before the loss
[08:58] Watching my dad fade
[17:00] Saying goodbye: the beauty and brutality of it
[24:09] Comparing grief: why it’s not a contest
[26:47] What support looks like for each kind of grief
[28:57] Final thoughts: your grief is valid, no matter how it started

🌿 Get Support:

🌱 Ready to grow through your grief? Get my Befriend Your Grief course for the support and tools needed to transform your pain into a meaningful journey. https://www.growthroughyourgrief.net/befriend-your-grief

🌧️ Want to see how your grief is affecting you? Download my free quiz and complete it at your own pace. https://www.growthroughyourgrief.net/how-grief-is-affecting-me

🌐 Website: https://www.growthroughyourgrief.net/

🎶 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@growthroughyourgrief

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthroughyourgrief/

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