Grief Comes in Many Forms

When we hear the word "grief," we often think of the loss of a loved one. And while that kind of loss is deep and life-changing, grief can show up in many other ways too. It can quietly move into our lives during moments we least expect and leave us feeling heavy, disconnected, or overwhelmed.

Grief can come from the end of a friendship. It can come from a breakup, a job loss, or even the slow realisation that life is not turning out the way you thought it would. It can come from moving away, watching your children grow up, or witnessing someone you love suffer. It can also appear without a clear trigger at all. Sometimes, it is simply a lingering sadness or a season where everything feels like too much.

There is no one way to grieve. No checklist. No map. And no single reason needed. Grief can be raw and obvious, or it can be quiet and hard to name. You might find yourself crying often, or you might not cry at all. You might want to talk, or you might want to be alone. Some days you might feel like you're moving forward, and the next day feel like you're back at the beginning again.

And that is okay.

One of the most important things to remember is that your grief is valid — no matter its shape, size, or cause. You do not need to explain why something hurt you. You do not need to compare your experience to someone else’s. And you certainly do not need to rush to “get over it.”

Grief has no timeline.

Sometimes it fades slowly. Other times it comes and goes like waves. You might feel fine for weeks, and then suddenly a memory, a smell, or a song brings everything back. These moments do not mean you're doing grief wrong. They mean you're human.

In a world that often tells us to be strong, productive, and quick to recover, giving yourself permission to feel deeply can be a radical act of self-care. It is okay to not be okay. It is okay to rest. To take space. To say no. To cry. To ask for help.

If you are grieving someone, something, or even a version of yourself you no longer recognise, please know this — you are not alone. Grief is a shared human experience, even though it feels incredibly personal. There are others walking through their own kinds of loss too.

Be gentle with yourself. You are carrying a lot. Healing does not happen in straight lines, and sometimes it is not about fixing anything at all. It is about honouring what was, accepting what is, and holding space for what may come.

Your grief is yours, and however you carry it, that is enough.