Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart

Gen X Women Are Grieving Hard

Acknowledge and validate your pain so you can heal

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The vastness of grief is hard to comprehend and face, and for women from Generation X, that grief is coming on like a tidal wave. This demographic is known for their ongoing visible and invisible labor as well as their ability to put their heads down and get the work done…rarely making space for themselves to rest.

Their grief may be navigating the loss of a parent, sudden life or friendship changes, or death of a partner. But during this stage of life transitions, grief isn’t just about mourning loved ones. As we begin to age, we face immeasurable changes in our own lives that deserve attention: health changes, shifts in family dynamics, shifting political landscapes, evolving relationships, and even isolation.

Disenfranchised grief often sells the lie that your pain isn’t “valid” enough to warrant attention. I often see this when women find themselves caregiving for a parent or spouse and quietly putting aside their own feelings. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “This is just what I’m supposed to do,” and in that process, you might lose sight of your own need to grieve fully.