Two Faces of Grief
Season 8 - Episode 8
Grief doesn't come with a roadmap, but understanding your natural grieving style can help you navigate the journey. In this revealing episode, host Chris Dale breaks down the two primary approaches to grief: analytical and intuitive.
Analytical grievers tend to compartmentalize emotions, focusing on practical tasks while storing feelings away. More common among men, this approach often means going it alone without seeking support. Meanwhile, intuitive grievers process loss through emotional expression, connection with others, and active exploration of their feelings. This style, more typical of women, usually involves seeking counseling, joining support groups, or finding other outlets for emotional processing.
Drawing from personal experience, Chris shares how he embodied both styles at different points after losing his parents and grandmother. When faced with managing his parents' home during the 2008 real estate crash, he had no choice but to store his grief and handle the immediate practical concerns. Only months later did the emotional impact catch up with him. When his grandmother passed away later, he discovered his naturally intuitive grieving style, seeking understanding and connections with others who shared similar experiences.
For financial planners and advisors working with grieving clients, recognizing these different styles is crucial. The most damaging misconception Chris encounters is the belief that clients should "get over" their grief within a specified timeframe. As he powerfully states, "There's no getting over the loss of someone, it's just learning to live life differently." Advisors must adjust their expectations—analytical grievers may move through financial decisions more quickly, while intuitive grievers often need more time and emotional space before tackling practical matters.
Whether you're navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights to understand why we grieve differently and how to honor each person's unique path through loss. Ready to better understand your grief journey? Listen now and discover the knowledge that might just transform your perspective on healing.