Grief and Life - as we know it!

Episode 26 - The Grief Olympics!

Ever caught yourself thinking, “my week was the worst”… only to hear what someone else is going through? Welcome to The Grief Olympics! In our latest episode, we dive into the strange, very human habit of ranking pain — from the absurd (yes… even a broken dishwasher ) to the unimaginable (like losing someone you love). It might sound silly on the surface, but it opens up a deeper conversation: Why do we compare suffering? Who gets to decide what “counts” as hard? And what happens when we stop keeping score? This episode isn’t about minimizing pain — it’s about understanding it. All of it. The small frustrations, the big heartbreaks, and everything in between. Because pain isn’t a competition. And nobody wins the gold.

Episode 25 - Numbing the pain - Survival strategy or silent cost?

We admire the “strong” ones — the people who go back to work, keep running, keep functioning after life falls apart. But what if the strength we praise is sometimes just a quiet shutdown? In this episode of Grief and Life as We Know It, we explore numbing — why we do it, how it protects us in the short term, and what it can cost us in the long run. From alcohol and overworking to running, cleaning, scrolling, and silence, we unpack the difference between healthy regulation and slowly disappearing from yourself. Blending research, lived experience, and honest reflection, we ask: Is numbing a form of resilience… or a prison? And how do we build the kind of flexibility that lets us feel — without drowning? This is a conversation about survival, awareness, and learning not to abandon yourself in the process.

Episode 24 - What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

In this episode, we continue the conversation about identity, grief, and what happens after life changes us. We question the idea that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” — not as a cliché, but as a real, lived experience. Together, we explore discomfort, resilience, grief beyond death, the role of community, and how strength is built over time through connection, choice, and gratitude. This is a reflective conversation about becoming someone new, learning to live with discomfort, and finding meaning even when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected.

Episode 23 - Tradwife?

As a new year begins, we reflect on identity - how it shifts, stretches, and sometimes quietly slips away as life unfolds. From moving countries and motherhood to career pauses, illness, grief and the weight of labels like "tradwife', this episode explores what happens when the life you're living doesn't look like the one you imagined. This is not about shaming choices or lifestyles — not at all. Choosing a traditional life can be meaningful, strong, and deeply intentional. This episode is simply a personal reflection on life transitions, identity changes, and how we make sense of ourselves when labels shift — and when the question becomes less “What do I do?” and more “Who am I now?”

Episode 22 - The Pause That Changed Everything - Our Very First Guest!

How many thoughts run through your mind every single day? And how many of them do you quietly accept as truth—without ever stopping to question them? In this episode, we welcome our very first guest: a cognitive therapist—and one of Nina’s closest friends—for a deeply honest and meaningful conversation about the mind, grief, and the power of awareness. We talk about how our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, and how cognitive therapy can be a gentle yet powerful tool—especially when life feels overwhelming. Not to erase pain. Not to “fix” grief. But to help us understand what’s happening inside us, create space around difficult thoughts, and regain a sense of choice and self-compassion. Through personal stories and real-life reflections, we explore how becoming aware of our inner dialogue can soften suffering, support healing, and help us move forward—one small step at a time. ✨ Your thoughts aren’t facts. ✨ You’re not doing life wrong. ✨ And you do have the power to pause, choose, and respond differently. __________ For those listening in Norway, it may be helpful to know that Rask psykisk helsehjelp (RPH) is a municipal, low-threshold mental health service for adults (16+) experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression. It offers evidence-based treatment—primarily cognitive behavioral therapy—without the need for a referral and with short waiting times (often 1–2 weeks). The service is free and available in many municipalities, with the goal of preventing difficulties from becoming more entrenched. RPH is not intended for acute or severe conditions; in urgent situations, you should call 113, 116 117, or contact your GP. Support exists—and reaching out can be a powerful first step. __________ For those of you listening in the U.S., support is available too — even if it can feel hard to know where to start. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or in emotional distress, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, available 24/7, and you don’t have to be in immediate danger to reach out. For ongoing support, many people start by talking to their primary care doctor, who can help guide you toward therapy or other resources. You can also find therapists directly through platforms like Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Open Path, which offers lower-cost options. And if you’re ever in immediate danger, please call 911. You don’t have to go through this alone. Reaching out — even just once — can be a powerful first step.