Send us a text

Grief can trap us in survival mode—that state where we're just going through the motions, staying desperately busy, or putting on a brave face while feeling broken inside. But what happens when survival mode becomes its own kind of prison?
When I attended a Christmas party four months after losing my mom, I found myself watching everyone from a distance, as if viewing a movie rather than participating. This detachment wasn't a failure—it was my body's protective mechanism kicking in when the pain felt too overwhelming. Maybe you've experienced something similar: the mental fog, the disconnection, or perhaps the opposite—filling every moment with activity to avoid quiet spaces where grief might catch up with you.
The truth is, survival mode serves a crucial purpose. It's your body's way of pacing you through grief, protecting you from experiencing too much pain at once. But it was never meant to be permanent. The frustration, exhaustion, and longing you might feel now are actually powerful signals—they're telling you you're ready for something more than just surviving.
Moving beyond survival requires three essential pillars: sparking hope and restoring balance to your nervous system, finding emotional freedom from what's keeping you stuck, and strengthening your resilience muscle through intentional practices. These pillars helped Esperanza transform her grief journey after losing her daughter, allowing her to honor her child while reclaiming joy and purpose in her own life.
Your healing journey won't look exactly like anyone else's because your grief is uniquely yours. But the path from survival to resilience is available to you too. By recognizing the cues that you're ready for change and engaging with these three transformative pillars, you can begin moving from merely surviving your loss to finding renewed meaning and connection. Ready to make that shift? Let's talk about how the Resilient Life Academy might support your next steps.

Ready to make the shift? Apply to The Resilient Life Academy

Three Reflection Questions: (Are you ready to shift)

1. What signs do you recognize in yourself that indicate you are in survival mode?

2. What cues have you noticed recently that show you are ready for something other than surviving?

3. Ask yourself this: "If I didn’t feel _______ (sad, lonely, guilty or anxious, etc...) what would I want right now?"

Click here to Join my free Facebook community

Access live grief training with me, checklists to support healthy grieving, and a compassionate community who gets you.

Answer the 3 membership questions and you’re in!

We’d be honored to have you join us.

Click here to Learn more about working with me: Book A Call

Follow me on Facebook

This podcast is not medical advice, psychotherapy or counseling. It is for educational and entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know is in crisis dial or text 988 for the suicide crisis lifeline.