262. Grief Doesn't Just Break Hearts - It Breaks Routines

"The laundry was never the problem. The laundry was a reflection of something else."

We often expect grief to break our hearts. We don't expect it to disrupt our routines.

In this solo episode, I explore one of the most common and misunderstood experiences of loss: the way grief changes our capacity for everyday life. From forgotten appointments to overflowing laundry baskets, grief has a way of showing up in the ordinary rhythms that once felt automatic.

Together, we'll look at what science tells us about grief and executive functioning, why routines can feel so difficult after loss, and the restorative grief question at the center of it all:

How do I care for myself when my capacity is not what it used to be, not what I wish it were, and not what the world expects it to be?

In this episode, we talk about:

Why grief affects more than our emotionsThe connection between grief, brain fog, and executive functioningWhat routines can teach us about capacityWhy ordinary tasks become harder after lossTaking morality out of self-care and daily responsibilitiesThe difference between returning to normal and practicing restorationBuilding supportive rhythms for the life you're living now

Links + Resources from this episode:

Restorative Grief: Embracing Our Losses Without Losing Ourselves by Mandy Capehart

Mary-Frances O'Connor's The Grieving BrainRestorative Grief Coaching & Resources at MandyCapehart.com