E43: Why “Time Heals All” Is a Lie—and What Grievers Need Instead

Written By Shelby Forsythia

“Time heals all” is one of the most commonly repeated phrases in grief support—but is it actually helpful? Discover the history behind this platitude, why it often causes more harm than good, and what actually supports healing after loss.

  • Where “time heals all” originated—and why it stuck

  • 3 reasons the phrase harms more than helps

  • What to do instead of waiting for time to pass

  • What to say to grievers that’s actually comforting

  • Why you—not time—are the source of your healing

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Download the transcript for this episode here.

Shelby Forsythia

Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief coach, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major life transitions.

Following her mother’s death in 2013, Shelby began calling herself a “student of grief” and now devotes her days to reading, writing, and speaking about loss. Through a combination of mindfulness tools and intuitive, open-ended questions, she guides her clients to welcome grief as a teacher and create meaningful lives that honor and include the heartbreaks they’ve faced. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine.

https://www.shelbyforsythia.com
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E42: 15 Grief Affirmations That Ground You WITHOUT Toxic Positivity | Listener Pick