Riding the Waves of Grief

This week in my practice, I’ve seen a lot of grief.

From processing the heartbreak of infertility…
to finding meaning after pregnancy loss…
to supporting someone through the shock of losing a friend in a senseless act of violence…

One thing all grieving people have in common is that grief is deeply personal. No two experiences look exactly the same, yet there are threads of emotion that connect us all in our pain.

Grief can show up in many different ways, including:

• Sadness and Tearfulness: Feeling overwhelmed with sorrow and crying frequently.
  
  
• Numbness: Feeling emotionally detached or disconnected from reality, almost as if in a fog.
  
  
• Anger: Directing anger at the situation, oneself, or even the person who has passed away.
  
  
• Guilt: Regret over things left unsaid or undone, or even guilt about continuing to live when someone else cannot.
  
  
• Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, insomnia, headaches, body aches, and other stress-related symptoms.
  
  
• Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from social interactions or avoiding connection altogether.
  
  
• Forgetfulness and Fog: Struggling to concentrate or remember things due to the emotional overload.
  
  
• Search for Meaning: Questioning life’s purpose or wrestling with existential questions.
  
  
• Relief: Sometimes, especially after a loved one’s prolonged suffering, a sense of relief coexists with grief.
  
  
• Yearning and Longing: Feeling an aching emptiness and wishing for just one more moment with the person who’s gone.
  
  

Grief doesn’t move in a straight line. It’s messy, nonlinear, and unpredictable. Some days may bring moments of peace, while others reopen the rawness of loss.

It’s a roller coaster of emotions, with highs that can feel fleeting and lows that feel endless. The waves of grief come and go—sometimes crashing in without warning, other times gently lapping at the edges of your heart. Over time, those waves may soften, but they never fully disappear.

If you’re grieving, know that there’s no “right” way to do it—and no timeline you have to meet. Healing comes not from forcing the pain away, but from allowing yourself to feel, to remember, and to slowly integrate the loss into your life story.

It’s also important to remember that grief looks different for everyone. Some people ride the waves quietly, while others let their emotions crash loudly to the surface. Some may appear calm on the outside while barely staying afloat underneath. There’s no wrong way to grieve—only your way.

So, as you move through your own process, give yourself grace—and extend that same compassion to others who may be navigating their own version of the storm.

You are not alone in your grief, even when it feels isolating. Support—through therapy, loved ones, or simply shared understanding—can help you find your footing again, one gentle step at a time.

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If you’re finding it hard to navigate your grief, you don’t have to do it alone. When you’re ready, reach out through Be Well – Wellness to connect with a therapist and find a gentle, supportive space to begin healing at your own pace.