Grief: When Healing Isn’t a Straight Line

Grief is one of the most human experiences — and yet, it’s one of the hardest to talk about. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a life path, or even a version of yourself you thought you’d be — grief changes us.

And here’s something many people don’t realise: healing from grief is not linear. It doesn’t follow neat stages. It can ebb and flow, return in waves, and sometimes show up just when you thought you were “doing better.”

The Truth About Grief

There is no timeline. No right way to grieve. No “getting over it.” Instead, there’s learning to live with it — integrating the loss into your life in a way that allows you to keep going, without leaving love or meaning behind.

You might feel:

• Deep sadness one day and laughter the next

• Numbness where you expected emotion

• Guilt for moments of joy, or relief mixed with pain

• Frustration when others say “you should be over it by now”

All of these are valid. Grief is deeply personal.

How to Be Gentle with Yourself

• Let it be messy. Grief doesn’t need to look a certain way to be real.

• Talk about it. Connection helps. You don’t have to carry it alone.

• Allow joy, too. Finding moments of light doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten.

• Honour the loss in small ways. Rituals, memories, or even just quiet reflection can be grounding.

Final Thought

Grief is not a problem to be solved — it’s a process to be supported. However long it takes, however it shows up, you are allowed to move through it at your own pace.