Navigating Grief—Your Own or Someone Else’s 💛

Hi Mamas —

Grief is… well, it’s really complicated. Grief in the workplace? Even more so. It’s not something we talk about often at work, but it shows up anyway—quietly woven into the emails we send, the meetings we lead, and the after-school pickups we power through.

As working moms, we carry so much already, and when loss enters the picture—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a pregnancy, a dream, or even just a season of life—it can feel… 

O👏 VER👏WHELM👏ING👏

We want to name that truth out loud: grief doesn’t clock out when we clock in. And yet, within community, honest conversations, and small acts of care, there’s space to be both human and strong women. If you’re carrying both the reality that life keeps moving and the weight of a loss that feels like it stands still—you’re not alone. We see you, and we’re with you. You don’t have to carry it all 💛

Finally, since it’s the first newsletter of the month, don’t miss our October Must Reads at the bottom. Enjoy!

—Paula (Founder, CARRY™ Media)

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 💛 Grief in the Workplace

• 🕊️ When Loss is YOUR Reality

• 🌿 3 Practical Ways to Support Someone Who is Grieving

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 💛 Grief in the Workplace

According to a Forbes article, addressing grief in the workplace isn't just compassionate—it actually makes company culture more beneficial for everyone. When organizations acknowledge and support employees who are grieving, it can build trust, improve retention, and create a more resilient team.

Creating space for grief doesn’t mean productivity has to take a hit. In fact, when leaders show empathy and understanding, employees feel valued and supported—which often makes the whole team work stronger.

For working moms balancing grief alongside deadlines, meetings, and family life, lean on these practical steps for support: 💬 letting your manager know what you need, 🛑 setting small boundaries to protect your energy, and 🤝 leaning on colleagues or support networks when things feel heavy. 

This month on The Paula Faris Show, we’re exploring grief and loss—how it shows up, how to navigate it while life keeps moving, and how community and conversation can help us heal. Paula is joined by guests Dr. Henry Cloud, Annie F. Downs and Jessica N Turner, sharing perspectives and wisdom for navigating grief in our everyday life.

🎧 Listen to the full series here! Let’s keep this conversation going and create workplaces—and lives—that honor our humanity while helping us carry on.

2️⃣  🕊️ When Loss is YOUR Reality 

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—a time to honor and reflect on the impact of loss for mothers and families. Grief after a pregnancy or infant loss can be profound, and for working moms, it often intersects with professional expectations and workplace dynamics. If you’re in this club that no one ever asked to join, we grieve with you. 

You may have faced the challenge of maternity leave after a loss, navigating questions or announcements at work, or balancing deep grief with relentless deadlines. These experiences can feel isolating—but you are not alone, and you do not have to carry it all.

Here are a few resources that may offer comfort if loss has touched your motherhood story:

• March of Dimes: A comprehensive library of resources for families experiencing loss.

• Books of Comfort and Care: Held (Devotional), Poems for comfort, The Miscarriage Map

• Journal for Healing: A personal space to process emotions and memories.

• Podcast: Stories from other women who “get it” and share their journeys through grief.

💛 Your grief is valid, your emotions are important, and seeking support is a sign of strength—not weakness. 

3️⃣ 🌿 3 Practical Ways to Support Someone Who is Grieving

A. Show Up with Care

• Acknowledge the loss and use the baby’s name if known.

• Listen more than you speak—let them cry, share, or sit in silence.

• Avoid clichés like “You can try again” or “It was meant to be.”

B. Offer Tangible, Thoughtful Help

• Bring meals, run errands, or help with household tasks.

• Try sending a text like:
  
   “Hey [Name], I know things have been really heavy. If any of these would help, just text me the number and consider it done:
  1️⃣ Pick up freezer meals for this week
  2️⃣ Grab your laundry & return it clean
  3️⃣ Sit with you and listen
  4️⃣ Run an errand (groceries, pharmacy, etc.)
  No pressure to reply—if I don’t hear from you, I’ll drop off a meal tomorrow 💛.”

C. Walk With Them in the Long Term

• Respect that grief comes in waves and has no timeline.

• Remember important dates with a message, card, or small gesture.

• Encourage professional support or connection with others who “get it.”

• Keep inviting them into everyday life while respecting their boundaries.

💛 There isn’t a perfect prescription for grief—everyone needs something different. It can feel unbearably lonely, but consistent acts of showing up remind someone they are deeply loved and not alone.

📰 IN THE NEWS

🤖  The AI Effect: Trades Become the New Career Security

It’s a conversation we’re seeing more and more: as AI increasingly disrupts traditional white-collar jobs, many young Americans are turning to skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC. These careers are seen as more secure and resistant to automation, with 77% of Gen Z considering that a key factor in their career choices.

Concerns over student debt and AI’s encroachment on entry-level roles in fields such as software development and data analytics are driving this shift. Experts note that skilled trades offer autonomy, financial stability, and job security, making them an appealing alternative for younger workers navigating a rapidly changing labor market. Read more here: HERE.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎

for the mom who is living with loss

We know there are no words that can make this hurt go away, and there’s no timeline for grief. But there is a process: let yourself feel every messy, heavy emotion. Cry, rage, remember, whisper their name—whatever you need. You don’t have to “move on” or put on a brave face for anyone.

Take it one day, one hour, one breath at a time. Lean on people who get it, even if that’s just a friend listening without saying a word. Be gentle with yourself. You are allowed to grieve, to rest, to carry this loss in your own way.

And if anyone tells you to “get over it” or “look on the bright side,” let them talk—they don’t get it. You are seen, you are loved, and it’s okay to let the world wait while you heal.

If you know someone grieving right now, simple gestures can mean so much: sending a comforting gift, shipping a meal to their doorstep, or taking care of the laundry. These acts quietly say, “I see you, and I’m here.”

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