How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving or Going Through a Lot [episode 134]
Listen to How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving or Going Through a Lot on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | your platform of choice
There’s something so instinctive about wanting to help when someone we care about is hurting. We want to fix it, ease it, and make it better somehow.
But what if the most meaningful thing we can offer isn’t advice at all?
In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to help someone who is grieving or going through a lot. I had a powerful moment from a recent Good Movement workshop, where one simple exercise (listening without trying to fix) felt surprisingly hard.
Honestly, that makes sense. So many of us have been conditioned to respond with solutions, encouragement, or perspective. When someone is grieving or struggling, though, those responses can unintentionally feel dismissive instead of supportive.
After losing my dad, I experienced many kind gestures – meals, messages, thoughtful gifts, and more. One of the most impactful moments came from someone who simply said, “I don’t have words, but I do have a hug.” No advice – just their presence, which is what I truly needed most!
I hope this episode allows you to rethink how we can show up for others and for ourselves. Being seen, heard, and cared for in those moments is where the REAL healing begins!
If you’re ready to go deeper and do this inner work for yourself, I’d love to connect with you. You can schedule a free 30-minute call with me to talk about what 1:1 Good Movement Guidance could look like for you. Make sure to mention “castpod” when you book to receive 10% off!
In this episode, How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving or Going Through a Lot, I cover:
- Why listening without fixing can feel so uncomfortable + why it matters
- How well-meaning phrases can unintentionally dismiss someone’s pain
- The power of simple, silent presence when someone is grieving
- What it actually looks like to “bear witness” to someone’s experience
- How validation helps people feel seen, heard, and supported
- Why we don’t get to decide the magnitude of someone else’s “hard”
- The tendency to avoid our own pain + why sitting with it matters
Resources & Links:
- Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer
- Schedule a free consult and see if 1:1 Good Movement Guidance is right for you
- Check out my merch shop
- Join the waitlist for the Good Movement Collective
- Good Movement music by: Aaron Espe
- Podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting
Connect with Terryn:
- Follow on Instagram @terryn.drieling
- Check out my website
- Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com
Related Episodes:
- Episode 51: Practical Tips for Validation: How to Validate and Seek It in Relationships
- Episode 99: Ignoring It Isn’t the Answer—for Yourself or Others
- Episode 132: Disaster Trauma Recovery + Processing Grief with Victoria Mexcur
More about the Good Movement Draws Good Movement podcast:
In stockmanship (the art and science of handling cattle in a safe, effective, low-stress manner), we have this phrase . . . good movement draws good movement.
It’s this thing that happens when we ask a small group of cattle, maybe a cow or a pair, to move out in a certain direction, and their movement draws the whole herd into moving in the same direction.
Good movement happens when we approach the cattle with a positive attitude, read and really listen to what they’re telling us, and communicate accordingly.
We don’t approach the aware, flighty cattle the same as we do the tame, docile cattle. We adjust ourselves, our energy, and our approach, and we communicate with each other differently.
These adjustments help us effectively draw good movement from each, which then draws good movement from the herd. But it starts with us.
The same is true for humans. Good movement starts with us.
Welcome to Good Movement Draws Good Movement, the podcast where farmers, ranchers, and rural folks can grow relationally through awareness, understanding, and effective communication.
Hey, it’s me – T. I’m your host, and I, along with my guests, will be covering topics related to drawing good movement – things like self and social awareness, brain science, positive psychology, extending grace, and so much more.
We’ll share tools that can help you understand why you are the way you are, why others are the way they are, and how you can use that to step out of self-told lies with grace and compassion to draw good movement in conversations, relationships, and life in rural America.
Tune in every Tuesday, and make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! Let’s go draw good movement!
