The 5 Stages of Grief: Myths vs. Reality (and What Grief Really Looks Like)
- Author
- Tara Accardo
- Published
- Mon 01 Sep 2025
- Episode Link
- None
We’ve all heard of the “five stages of grief”—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. They’ve become one of the most popular frameworks for understanding grief. But here’s the truth: they’re also one of the most misunderstood.
In this minisode, I’m unpacking what the stages of grief were actually created for, the myths that often leave grievers feeling like they’re “doing it wrong,” and why grief doesn’t really follow a step-by-step process.
Instead, I’ll share a more honest picture of what grief looks like—messy, cyclical, and often wave-like—and how you can support yourself in your own unique grieving process.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
✨ The real history behind the five stages of grief
✨ Why grief is not linear (and why that’s actually okay)
✨ The biggest myths that keep grievers stuck and second-guessing their process
✨ Why the “grief wave” is a much more realistic way to understand what you’re experiencing
✨ How to give yourself permission to grieve your way—without timelines or rules
If you’ve ever felt like your grief doesn’t fit into the five stages, this episode is your reminder that you’re not broken—you’re a human having a very human experience.
Explore Love Like Thunder, Grief Like Rain by Laura Winn and pre-oder the book here: earthgrief.love
Work with me:
- Micro-Moments for Transformation: https://lossesbecomegains.com/transformation
- 14-Day Relief in Your Grief Challenge: https://lossesbecomegains.com/relief-in-grief
- Work with me one-on-one: https://lossesbecomegains.com/work-with-tara
Connect with me further:
- Leave a voice note through Speakpipe! https://www.speakpipe.com/LifeWithGrief
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- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithgriefpodcast/
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- Website: https://lossesbecomegains.com/
- Shop the LBG Daily Journal: https://lossesbecomegains.com/journal
Check out my other podcast, Taste Toast Travel!
