Grief comes to us in waves. It is a heartache that many, if not most, experience. It can blossom from the closing of a chapter, the realization that a dream may never come to fruition, or the loss of someone or something—even a belief—that we held dear. The grief itself can materialize inside us as anger, despair, and a yearning for whatever has happened or is happening to reverse and reroute.
Maybe it’s a breakup. The dissolution of a friendship. The ending of one chapter and the start of another. The leaves falling from the treetops and the anticipation of the cold and darkness of winter. No matter what it is, it matters.
And as we ride the waves, we realize, much to our frustration, that grief is rarely a one-and-done affair. Just as we crest a bout of emotion, another is heading toward the shore, ready to be felt by our heads and hearts. While grief may never fully evade our existence, it seems to be a foundational part of being human, it does grow familiar, and in turn, gentler.
We hurt. We feel. We adjust. We emerge. Not without sore spots and an aching heart, but we do survive and we do heal.
You will be okay.
People need other people. You are not weak for wanting or needing support. If you’re seeking professional help, we encourage you to use TWLOHA’s FIND HELP Tool. If you reside outside of the US, please browse our growing International Resources database. You can also text TWLOHA to 741741 to be connected for free, 24/7 to a trained Crisis Text Line counselor. If it’s encouragement or a listening ear that you need, email our team at [email protected].