Grief is the natural response to loss, and it rarely follows a straight line. You may have heard of grief “stages,” but most people find their grief comes in waves: calm days, then a song or a date brings it all back.
What grief can feel like
- Sadness, numbness, anger or guilt, sometimes all in one day
- Trouble sleeping, eating or concentrating
- Feeling disconnected from people who have not experienced the loss
- Waves of grief around anniversaries, holidays and milestones
Grief is not only about death. People also grieve divorce, estrangement, lost health, a lost home or the life they expected to have.
Moving through it at your own pace
- Let it come and go. You do not have to be “over it” by a certain date.
- Give grief somewhere to go. Write a letter to the person or thing you lost, keep a memory box, or mark an anniversary in a way that feels meaningful.
- Look after the basics. Regular meals, sleep and short walks help your body carry the weight.
- Lean on others. Tell a trusted person what helps and what does not. Support makes grief easier to carry.
When grief feels stuck
If months pass and grief still makes daily life very hard, or the loss was sudden or traumatic, online grief counseling can help. Sessions offer a gentle, unhurried space to process your loss and find a way forward. You can book a free Zoom consultation from anywhere in Washington.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 if you are in danger.