What if the grief you’re feeling isn’t a sign that you made the wrong choice… but proof that something mattered?
In this deeply personal solo episode of the Redefining Wealth Podcast, Patrice Washington explores a side of alignment that people rarely talk about—the grief that can come after choosing yourself.
We often hear about the peace, freedom, and clarity that come with alignment.
But what happens after the relief?
What happens when you’ve made the right decision, yet your heart still hurts?
Fresh from a transformative stay in Mexico following the Scaling Joy Retreat, Patrice opens up about the emotional reality of releasing relationships, identities, expectations, and futures that once felt aligned—but no longer fit who you’re becoming.
This conversation isn’t about regret.
It’s about learning to hold grief and gratitude at the same time.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why alignment can sometimes feel heartbreaking
- The difference between grief and regret
- How anger can reveal where you’ve abandoned yourself
- Why something can be both meaningful and misaligned
- How to stop interpreting grief as proof you made the wrong choice
- What it means to trust yourself through major life transitions
- How the Six Pillars of Wealth help you navigate seasons of loss
The Grief of Choosing You
One of the most powerful themes in this episode is the realization that alignment often requires release.
Not because something was bad.
Not because someone was wrong.
But because what once fit no longer supports who you’re becoming.
Patrice reflects on the difficult truth that love and alignment are not always the same thing—and that choosing yourself can sometimes mean grieving people, places, opportunities, and dreams you genuinely cared about.
When Anger Is Actually Information
A vulnerable moment in the episode comes when Patrice shares recognizing feelings of anger beneath her grief.
Not anger at others.
But anger at the ways she had ignored her own needs, overextended herself, or stayed connected to situations that no longer aligned.
This conversation beautifully connects to the FIT pillar, reminding us that emotional wellbeing requires honesty. What we suppress emotionally often shows up elsewhere if left unaddressed.
Grief Is Not Proof You Were Wrong
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this conversation is this:
Grief is not proof that you made the wrong choice.
Grief is often proof that something mattered.
You can love someone and still need something different.
You can appreciate a season and still outgrow it.
You can miss what was and still know you cannot go back.
This is where the PEOPLE pillar becomes so important. Healthy relationships support growth—even when growth requires difficult decisions.
The Six Pillars Hold You Up
Patrice reminds listeners that when one pillar becomes your entire identity, loss can feel devastating.
But when all six pillars are supporting your vision, grief becomes part of the story—not the whole story.
Your relationships.
Your health.
Your faith.
Your environment.
Your work.
Your finances.
Together, they create the foundation that helps you navigate change without losing yourself.
Choosing Alignment Anyway
This episode is a reminder that alignment is not always the easy path.
Sometimes it’s lonely.
Sometimes it’s uncomfortable.
Sometimes it breaks your heart.
But the alternative—continuing to betray yourself in order to preserve comfort—comes at an even greater cost.
As Patrice asks:
Will you keep betraying your vision to preserve your comfort?
Or will you trust yourself enough to choose what fully aligns?
About This Season: The Anatomy of Alignment
This season of Redefining Wealth is dedicated to unpacking what alignment really means — not as a buzzword, but as structure.
We’re dissecting how misalignment impacts each of the Six Pillars of Wealth — FIT, PEOPLE, SPACE, FAITH, WORK, and MONEY — and what it truly costs when we tolerate what drains us.
Each episode builds on the last. So subscribe and journey with us as we move from awakening… to redefining… to actualizing.
Start With Clarity
🧭 Take the 2-Minute Pillar Quiz to discover which pillar needs your attention in this season: https://patricewashington.com/quiz
📱 Join the FREE Redefining Wealth App (community, book club, and weekly LIVE sessions with Patrice): https://patricewashington.com/redefining-wealth-app/
💛 Explore Pillar Mastery: https://pillarmastery.com
🎓 Learn about The Institute for Redefining Wealth: https://redefiningwealth.institute/
🎟️ Join us at Redefining Wealth LIVE
www.redefiningwealthlive.com
📘 Download the Six Pillars Cheat Sheet: https://patricewashington.com/6pillars
Subscribe & Review
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