Last week, I planned to talk about the wealth-building cycle—but life had other plans.

On March 15, 2025, my ‘Abue’ Ana passed away. I was in the room with her when she took her last breath, just like I had been with my ‘abuelo.’ That sacred moment changed everything.

This episode—and now this blog post—is for anyone navigating grief while still trying to show up for themselves, their money, and their future. Because the truth is, wealth-building doesn’t pause when your heart breaks. But how we care for ourselves during those seasons? That has to shift.

I want to walk you through how D.I.V.E.R.S.E. self-care—the seven-part framework I teach my clients—has supported me through this time of loss. I hope it offers you comfort, perspective, and permission to grieve and grow at the same time.

What Is D.I.V.E.R.S.E. Self-Care?

D.I.V.E.R.S.E. is an acronym for the seven types of self-care that support a wealth-building life:

• Dinero (Financial)
  
• Interpersonal (Social)
  
• Vocational (Professional)
  
• Emotional (Mental/Emotional)
  
• Restorative Body (Physical)
  
• Spiritual
  
• Environmental
  

Most of us won’t engage in all seven forms every day—and that’s okay. I encourage my clients to aim for at least four per day to stay in their zone of resilience. But in seasons of grief, that number might go down. Self-care becomes softer. Slower. Less visible. And it still counts.

Dinero Self-Care: A Gentle Financial Routine

During this grief-filled season, I scaled back to a minimum financial care routine:

• Weekly credit card payments
  
• Maintaining a checking account buffer
  
• Biweekly spending plans based on when my husband gets paid
  

I gave myself permission to pause big financial goals and work fewer hours. I also made the empowered decision to take out a business line of credit—not out of fear, but out of strategy. I wanted to reduce pressure while still running payroll and honoring my responsibilities.

Money is a tool. I’ve learned to trust myself to use debt wisely and in ways that support my wellness.

Interpersonal Self-Care: Letting Myself Be Held

This season challenged me to practice vulnerability in ways I hadn’t before. I:

• Told close friends how I was really feeling
  
• Asked them to check in on me and remind me to hydrate, pray, and rest
  
• Said “I’m grieving” when asked how I was—because I was
  

It wasn’t easy. I’m used to being the one who lightens the room. But letting people witness my sadness? That brought me deeper connection than I expected.

Grief showed me the beauty of asking for help and letting others love me through it.

Vocational Self-Care: Redefining Productivity

I reduced my workload dramatically:

• Canceled meetings and weekly team calls
  
• Delegated tasks via Slack and Loom
  
• Focused only on essential emails and client communication
  

Instead of sticking to my usual 5 a.m. email schedule, I allowed flexibility. Some days, emails went out late. Some days, I rescheduled client sessions. I even offered bonus calls as a way to extend grace.

And most importantly, I reminded myself: done is better than perfect. Showing up imperfectly was still showing up.

Emotional Self-Care: Feeling It All

I gave myself full permission to feel:

• Sadness, anger, guilt, joy, denial—sometimes all at once
  
• The waves of emotion that grief brings without judgment
  
• The intensity of missing someone who shaped who I am
  

When my abue passed, I cried. Then I got in bed with her. I held her. I let the tears come. I told the people in the room, “I know I look crazy.” But I didn’t stop.

Because grief isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a process to honor.

Restorative Body Self-Care: Reactive, Not Perfect

This area has been the hardest for me.

I haven’t walked regularly. I’ve struggled to sleep. I’ve forgotten to take vitamins, eat meals, and hydrate.

But I also:

• Got massages
  
• Ate sweets without shame
  
• Gave myself compassion for where I was
  

Now that the funerals are over, I’m preparing to work with a personal trainer again. I know I’ll return to more consistent physical care con tiempo.

Spiritual Self-Care: Connecting with My Ancestors

My abue is still with me.

I talk to her. I light candles. I feel her love guiding me.

I also found comfort in Asha Wilkerson’s Joy Activation Challenge, a 5-day journey that helped me feel both grief and joy—at the same time.

This is the duality of spiritual self-care. It invites us to hold space for pain and presence.

Environmental Self-Care: Letting the Mess Be Okay

In those first few days, the house was messy. Laundry piled up. I was sleeping constantly. And instead of shaming myself, I gave myself permission to let it be.

Over time, I started creating soft spaces—tidying my office, arranging the living room, unpacking boxes in our new home.

Grief disrupted my routines. And that was okay.

Grieving and Wealth-Building Can Coexist

This episode—and this season—has taught me that self-care doesn’t always look like bubble baths or meal prep or gym visits.

Sometimes, self-care looks like:

• Asking for help
  
• Letting your home be messy
  
• Crying in bed with your grandmother’s body
  
• Sending one email instead of five
  
• Eating too many cookies—and forgiving yourself for it

Grief will disrupt your routines. But it doesn’t mean you’re failing.

You are still taking care of yourself—even when it looks different.

Final Words

If you’re grieving right now, I want you to know:

You’re not alone.
Your self-care is still valid.
And you can still build wealth—one gentle step at a time.

Please feel free to DM me on Instagram @wealthparatodos if this resonates. I’d love to hold space for you. And if you found this post helpful, please subscribe to the Wealth Para Todos Podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone you love.

Until next time, may you grieve fully, love deeply, and rest often.