How does Brian D Smith’s approach redefine the stages of grief?

Brian’s work starts from this: grief is not a problem to fix or a ladder of stages to climb. It is a lifelong relationship with someone you love and with your own heart.

Rather than “denial–anger–bargaining–depression–acceptance” as a rigid path, the focus is on:

• Allowing all emotions, including tears, as healthy and healing
• Rejecting spiritual bypass (“I shouldn’t hurt if I have faith”)
• Integrating the loss into your life so you can both grieve and grow
• Staying connected with your person, not “moving on” from them
• Using practical tools (his GEMS: Gratitude, Exercise/Sleep, Mindfulness, Self-care) to support your nervous system and daily functioning

The “stage” that matters most in this reframing is: “How do I live with this love and this pain, today, in a way that is gentle and sustainable?”

Would you like a side‑by‑side comparison of Kübler‑Ross’s stages and this more relational model?