As I originally planned this episode, the calendar still read 2024—but life, in the best way, had other plans. An incredible opportunity led me to expand my career in a direction I’ve long been passionate about, and saying “yes” to it brought a renewed sense of purpose, much like when I launched this podcast in 2021. Now, on the other side of that decision, I feel grounded in a way I haven’t for some time.

But as we step into a new year, I want to revisit a profound part of grief that caught me off guard in my first year of loss—the constant struggle between “before” and “after.” It’s not just a passing thought; it’s a lens through which we unconsciously filter our memories, marking moments as either before or after our loved one was gone. In today’s episode, we’ll explore why this distinction becomes so significant and how awareness of it can help us navigate grief with grace and confidence.