Grief as a Wave: Understanding the Emotional Cleanse
Explore the concept of grief as a wave with insights from Janet Philbin. Learn how the emotional cleanse helps you process loss through the ebbs and flows of pain.
Best quote from Grief as a Wave: Understanding the Emotional Cleanse
Healing isn't about the grief shrinking; it’s about your life growing bigger around it. If you let the waves wash over you instead of fighting them, you aren't moving on from the person, but moving forward with them as a continuing bond.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Why my therapist says that my grandma passing away is like a washing over you? Like a quick cleanse?
Frequently Asked Questions
Experiencing grief as a wave means recognizing that loss is not a permanent, solid wall, but a fluid process. As discussed in the podcast, Janet Philbin describes this as sitting still in the ebbs and flows of pain. When you allow the intensity of the emotion to peak and hit you fully, the wave eventually moves past you rather than staying stuck. This perspective helps individuals understand that the heavy feelings of loss are natural movements that will eventually ebb.
The term emotional cleanse refers to the process of letting intense emotions move through you rather than resisting them. Instead of making the sadness disappear instantly, this cleanse involves letting the wave of grief wash over you to carry away emotional residue. By not building a dam against these feelings, you prevent pressure from building up. This movement allows for a natural release, helping you process the loss more effectively by letting the emotion flow through your system.
Janet Philbin is a clinical social worker who provides a poetic yet clinical framework for understanding emotional resilience during loss. She describes grief as a state of sitting still within the ebbs and flows of pain. Her approach emphasizes that grief is fluid and that healing comes from acknowledging the moments when pain peaks. By understanding these cycles, individuals can better navigate the difficult journey of coping with loss without feeling like they are crashing into a permanent obstacle.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
