When Grief Sits in the Chair
Navigating loss in our beauty spaces
Grief shows up in our beauty spaces more than we talk about.
A client sits down and mentions that they lost their mom, their pet, or someone close to them. Or that they just received news they weren’t prepared for.
Sometimes it’s quiet tears.
Sometimes it’s a sudden heaviness in the room.
And sometimes, it’s us—showing up to work while carrying our own grief silently.
This episode of The Balanced Hairstylist Podcast is all about navigating grief in our beauty spaces—whether it’s supporting a client through loss or figuring out how to keep showing up when you’re grieving too.
I sat down with Jefri Franks—grief counselor, coach, and author—to talk about what it really looks like to walk alongside grief without trying to fix it, rush it, or make it more comfortable than it actually is.
One of the biggest reminders from our conversation was this:
Grief is a journey, not a question to be answered.
As hairstylists, we often feel pressure to say the right thing—to make people feel better. But listening—really listening—is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t have to know the perfect words.
Sometimes, being present is enough.
We also talked about boundaries—because showing up for others doesn’t mean losing yourself. It’s okay to let a client lead, to allow silence, or to reschedule when someone—including you—doesn’t have the capacity that day.
For those of us who feel deeply, self-care isn’t optional. A few deep breaths between clients. Writing things down. Asking for a quieter break room space. Giving yourself permission to not be upbeat when your heart is heavy.
We also explored when and how to gently refer a client to professional support—an invitation, not a diagnosis.
If you work in the beauty industry, this conversation is for you.
You don’t have to carry it all.
You don’t have to do this perfectly.
And you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🎧 Click here to listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, or watch on YouTube.
Links to Jefri’s work and her book Heather’s Journey are in the show notes.
Please join the free Community for mental health support for beauty professionals here:
