Grief Doesn’t Pause for Business: Navigating Loss While Keeping Life Moving
When life hands you grief, it doesn’t hand you a manual.
It doesn’t pause your deadlines.
It doesn’t reschedule client meetings.
It doesn’t stop your inbox from filling up.
In this week’s episode, we open the door to a conversation rarely heard in the business world: what it really looks like to lead, build, and breathe through loss.
This isn’t a highlight reel—it’s real life.
The Unexpected Challenge of Loss
Recently, Rachel lost her aunt to cancer. It was a devastating loss, as she was like a second mother to her. In the midst of her grief, she found herself responsible for handling her estate, coordinating home repairs, dealing with banks, and sorting through decades of belongings. All of this while still trying to run her business, be a mom, and help her own kids process their emotions.
This experience made her realize how challenging it can be when life doesn’t stop for business, and business doesn’t stop for life. So today, we want to share some strategies that have helped us navigate these difficult waters.
Leaning on Faith
The number one thing that has helped ground me during this time is her faith. When grief feels overwhelming, scripture reminds us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all ye who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
There were moments when she had no words, just tears and exhaustion. In those times, she turned to simple prayers like “God, I need you. Please help me.” Listening to worship music also filled her home and car with songs of hope, even when she didn’t feel like listening to anything.
Brooke shared some comforting verses too, like “A bruised reed, he will not break” and the reminder that God will never give us more than we can handle. These truths can be incredibly reassuring when everything feels overwhelming.
Time Blocking and Task Management
One thing Rachel quickly realized was that her brain wasn’t functioning normally in those first few days after the loss. A simple email could take an hour to compose. But what she could do was move, clean, and make lists.
This is where time blocking became her best friend. She would dedicate specific hours to work tasks, then block off time to go through her aunt’s belongings or organize donations. In the evenings, she rested and spent time with her kids.
Checking things off a list gave her a sense of accomplishment in a very chaotic time. It reminded her that even though she was still grieving, she was moving forward.
The Power of Community
Another crucial aspect of getting through this difficult time was leaning on her support system. Through her connections, she was able to hire help for home repairs, get recommendations for financial matters, and even delegate some business tasks.
Here’s an important lesson: you have to let people help you. As entrepreneurs, we often feel like we need to do it all ourselves. But in times of grief, saying yes to help is one of the strongest things you can do.
Staying Connected
While grief can make you want to shut out the world, it’s important not to isolate yourself for too long. After those initial days of intense emotion, try to make intentional plans with people. Whether it’s grabbing coffee, going for a walk, or having dinner with family, these interactions can remind you that life is still moving and joy still exists, even in sorrow.
Physical Activity and Processing Grief
Surprisingly, being physically active helped her process her grief. When her brain wasn’t working, her body could still move. Sorting through her aunt’s belongings became a mix of emotional moments, laughter at old memories, and a process of letting go.
If you’re struggling, try not to sit in one place for too long. Do one thing each day that moves you forward, even if it’s small.
Final Thoughts and Prayer
If you’re going through a season of grief right now, remember that you don’t have to have it all together. You don’t have to move at full speed. Just keep moving, one day at a time, one task at a time, and one prayer at a time.
Lean on your faith, your support system, and give yourself grace. You’re not alone, and you’re stronger than you think.
We’d like to close with a prayer for anyone who’s grieving:
Dear heavenly father, we lift up every person carrying the weight of loss. Please give them peace that passes all understanding, Lord. Help them take the next step even if they don’t feel like they can. Surround them with love, support, and reminders of your presence. Thank you for being our refuge in every storm. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Remember, you are not alone. God’s got you. Take care, and if this episode helped you, please share it with someone who needs encouragement.
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