Episode 50: Don't Rush Past Your Grief: Learning to Embody the Both/And
What does it mean to hold joy and grief at the same time?
In this episode, Emma and I explore the tension of living in a both/and world. Through reflection, breath, and honest conversation, they unpack how grief shows up in the body, how the world rushes us past it, and how joy can become a grounding practice rather than something we wait to earn.
This conversation invites us to slow down, listen to what we’re feeling, and create space for the fullness of our humanity.
Chapters
00:45 – Why Grief Is Bigger
02:30 – Naming Feelings in the Body
03:11 – Consistency Through Exhaustion
04:20 – Grounding Breath Prayer
07:22 – Mindfulness and ASMR
10:48 – Making Space for Grief
13:12 – Phrases That Hurry Us
14:57 – Grief as Growth
15:37 – Reverence for the Week
16:58 – Three Questions on Feelings
17:58 – Naming Emotions at Work
20:21 – When You Say “I’m Fine”
21:33 – Incongruence and Humor
23:16 – Finding Quiet Grounding
24:48 – Self-Talk and Journaling
26:40 – Chicken Nugget Wisdom
Reflection Questions
What am I feeling in my body right now?
Where might I be rushing myself past something that needs care?
Can I sit with this feeling, even for a moment, instead of avoiding it?
Emma’s Chicken Nugget Wisdom
Write a poem.
Not just about what you feel…
But where you feel it.
What does your face do when you feel it?
What does your body do when you feel it?
Let your emotions have language.
Let them take up space.
Mentions
Sundays in 3D: The Both/And of Grief (and the Practice of Reverence)
Dr. Erika McDowell ( Just Erika) essay on Grief
Tressie McMillan Cottom’s Instagram:
Connect with Me:
Substack: livingin3dpower.substack.com
Instagram: @natural_inclination
Youtube: @naturalinclination
TikTok: Amber Sessoms
LinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSP
Bluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.social
Facebook: Natural Inclination
Like, Comment, Share, Engage
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!
