047 Navigating Mental Grief while Managing Motherhood & A Business with Leslie Wright

Grief isn't just a physical feeling of loss; it is often a "sobbing of the brain" that follows you into your kitchen, your business, and your parenting. In this powerful episode, Heather Clark sits down with event coordinator and author Leslie Marie to discuss the heavy reality of mental grief. Leslie opens up about the sudden loss of her mother and the complex journey of grieving two different versions of the same woman, the mother she loved and the one who struggled with addiction.

We explore the "zombie mode" of disassociation, the trap of preserving a "perfect" memory for others at the cost of your own honesty, and how to reclaim your "rights" to feel anger, shame, and eventually, peace. Leslie shares how she transformed her grief into a legacy for her children through creative colouring books and tribute boxes, proving that while you never live without grief, you can learn to live beautifully with it.

Inside This Episode

• The Brain’s Sobbing: Why mental grief often lasts far longer and hits deeper than the physical body's reaction to loss.

• Grieving the "Wenda" and the "Shirley": Navigating the complicated emotions of losing a parent who struggled with addiction and the guilt of remembering the "not so pretty" stories.

• Zombie Mode: Recognizing the signs of disassociation—like stirring an empty pot—when you are trying too hard to "keep it cool" for your kids.

• The Rights of the Griever: Reclaiming your right to memorialize your loved one on your own terms, even if that means being honest about the hard parts.

• The Shrine vs. The Sanctuary: How physical reminders (like having 600 photos) can sometimes stall your healing, and how to declutter your space to allow for growth.

The 4 Pillar Tiny Shifts

MIND: Put belief behind your affirmations. Use them to "hush" the unkind voices in your head. Remind your mind of the truth: "I am safe," "I am cared for," and "This loss was not my fault."

BODY: Give yourself a "Body Hug." In moments of overwhelm, literally wrap your arms around yourself. Don't underestimate the power of self-soothing through hot showers, self-care, and physical touch when you feel "unrooted."

SOUL: Find a "past the mask" person. Surround yourself with people who see through your faking and will go to war with your soul about the truth. Give your soul permission for it to be "okay to not be okay."

HOME: Declutter the "Shrine." If your home has become a constant memorial that stalls your productivity, try removing one reminder a day. You aren't deleting the memory; you are simply moving it from your "eyesight" to your "heart space" so you can function again.

MORE INFO:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.declutterforchange.com/links/⁠⁠

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