Ep 10: What No One Tells You About the First Year of Grief

The first year of grief can change far more than your emotions. It can affect the way you think, the decisions you make, the people you trust, the way you handle money, and even how clearly you recognize what you need. In this episode of 💦 The Watering Whole, I’m sharing three things I wish someone had told me before I entered my first year of grief—and three things I’m deeply grateful I already knew. After losing my husband, my spiritual father, and my mother over the course of two years, grief reshaped the trajectory of my life. Along the way, I learned that some of the hardest parts of loss are the things no one thinks to warn you about. In this conversation, we talk about: 🔥 The kind of people who show up when you're grieving — and why not all of them are there to help 🔥 Grief is a business — the pressure and upselling that happen when you're too heartbroken to think clearly 🔥 Why spending more money is never proof that you loved someone more 🔥 How long the grief shock can remain in your body (longer than you think) and why that matters 🔥 Why isolation can become dangerous when you’re already emotionally overwhelmed 🔥 Why I don't regret how I loved my husband while he was here 🔥 What a lifesaver it is to have your finances (and life insurance!) in order before you ever need to 🔥 How an established relationship with God carried me through the darkest year of my life I also share one of the darkest moments of my grief journey—spending Thanksgiving alone when I believed I was doing better—and what happened the next morning when I finally admitted that I needed help 😓 This isn’t a conversation about “getting over” grief. It’s about understanding what grief can do, protecting yourself while you’re vulnerable, allowing people to love you through it, and slowly finding your way toward a life you actually want to live again 🍃 If you’re grieving, supporting someone who is, or preparing yourself for one of life’s inevitable seasons of loss ❤️‍🩹 I hope you find something in this conversation that gives you language for what you're feeling and something to hold onto when you need it. ...................................................... 📌 If this episode brought up anything heavy for you, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is free and confidential, 24/7 — and it's not just for active crisis, they also support grief and emotional distress. A more detailed resource list is included in the pinned comment section. 📌 This content is for educational and self-development purposes only and is not intended as medical, psychological, or mental health advice. It does not replace professional care. If you have a medical or mental health condition or are experiencing distress, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. ...................................................... 🔔 Subscribe to 💦 The Watering Whole for honest conversations on healing, grief, faith, identity, and what we don't talk about enough. New episodes every Sunday at 9AM PDT. SHOP: 🛍️📚 Finding Your GLOW — the memoir — https://shopfyg.com/products/finding 📚📚 ........................................................ Follow me on my socials 💕 Instagram : @drsarahsamanthaanne Facebook: @drsarahsamanthaanne TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - The Shock Lasts... 01:47 - My Story: 3 Losses in 2 Years 03:09 - Wish I Knew #1: Not Everyone Who Shows Up Is Safe 10:30 - Wish I Knew #2: Grief Is a Business 16:20 - Wish I Knew #3: How Long Grief Shock Really Lasts 18:40 - The Thanksgiving I Chose to Be Alone 20:46 - When I Asked God for Help 22:30 - Bonus: 3 Things I’m Glad I Knew 23:30 - Glad I Knew #1: Don't Waste Time Holding Grudges 24:35 - Glad I Knew #2: Make Financial Decisions Early 26:34 - Glad I Knew #3: The Faith That Helped Me Rebuild 30:00 - Re-crafting a Life Worth Living In