In the quiet aftermath of a funeral, as you stand beside an empty chair that was once
filled, the weight of absence feels undeniable, almost tangible. National Grief Week,
26th Jan 2026, encourages us to pause and recognise something that affects
everyone but is often misunderstood, ignored, or hurried: grief.
Grief is not a problem to be solved or something to “get over.” When you first hear
this, it might be unsettling. It’s important to acknowledge that feeling disrupted is a
natural part of the grieving process. This initial discomfort is expected as it
challenges the notion that we must quickly resolve or move beyond our pain.
It is a natural, deeply human response to loss.
For many people, grief can feel frightening, isolating, and overwhelming, especially
in a world that often expects us to return to “normal” too soon.

 

What Is Grief?
Grief is an emotional, physical, psychological, and sometimes spiritual response to
loss. While it is often linked to the death of a loved one, grief can also arise from
losing health, identity, relationships, safety, or a future we hoped for. For instance,
consider the disorienting pain of someone who loses their job unexpectedly, not just
for the financial strain but for the sense of identity and purpose tied to their work. Or
imagine the profound ache of someone forced to leave their homeland, grappling
with the loss of familiarity, culture, and community.
Grief does not follow a set timeline. There is no single right way to grieve, no correct
emotions, and no fixed order for how grief happens. Imagine grief as a weather
pattern, unpredictable and ever-changing. It can bring a storm of sadness, flashes of
anger like lightning, clouds of relief, or the gentle rain of peace. These emotions, like
shifts in weather, often occur together, creating a complex yet deeply human
experience.

Many people are surprised by how much grief affects the body. Fatigue, chest
tightness, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, and a heavy or disconnected feeling
are all common. Grief is not just in the mind; it is also in the body. Consider taking a
moment to notice where you feel these sensations in your body today. Such mindful
awareness can be an important step towards self-care, helping you understand how
grief manifests physically and providing a gentle invitation to attend to these needs.
One of the hardest parts of grief is feeling like the world has changed. After a major
loss, life can seem unfamiliar, as if everything has shifted and nothing feels the
same. Imagine standing in your living room, surrounded by familiar objects, yet
suddenly feeling like a stranger in your own home. You might remember the exact
moment when a routine task—like reaching for a coffee mug—felt foreign, signalling
a new and uncharted territory of existence. These moments can deeply validate the
profound sense of disorientation many experience in grief, emphasising that such
feelings are not only natural but shared.

 

Why Grief Can Feel So Lonely

Even though everyone experiences grief, it often feels lonely. Friends might not know
what to say, and family members may grieve in their own ways. Well-meaning
comments like “they wouldn’t want you to be sad” or “at least you had many good
years” can sometimes make loneliness worse. Instead of such comments, offering
empathy with words like “I’m here for you” or “It’s okay to feel sad; it’s part of healing”
can provide comfort and support.
Many people who are grieving say they feel pressure to be “strong,” to cope quietly,
or to shield others from their pain. I remember once during my mam’s funeral, I felt
the need to hold back my tears, thinking it was what was expected of me. Over time,
this can make people carry their grief alone, without a chance to express or share it.
How Therapy Can Support the Bereaved
Grief therapy does not try to take away pain or erase loss. Instead, it provides a safe
and caring place where you can express your grief without judgment, comparison, or
time limits.

 

In therapy, the bereaved are supported to:
• Speak openly about their loss and their relationship with the person who died
• Explore complex or conflicting emotions, including anger, guilt, or relief
• Understand that their grief responses are normal and human

 

Find ways to live with grief rather than feeling consumed by it
Therapy can help people slowly understand what has happened and how it has
changed their identity, relationships, and sense of meaning. Modern grief
approaches recognise that healing does not mean forgetting. Instead, it often means
finding a way to keep the person’s love, memory, and influence in your life. For
example, a simple ritual like lighting a candle during Sunday breakfasts can serve as
a warm reminder of a loved one, creating a space to cherish their memory and keep
their presence alive in your everyday life.

For some people, therapy also helps with spiritual or big life questions that come up
after a loss. Grief can make us question our beliefs about safety, fairness, and what
lasts. Engaging with these questions is an act of courageous curiosity, a journey into
understanding that requires strength and openness. Knowing that exploring beliefs is
a brave endeavour, rather than a sign of doubt, can lessen the sense of isolation or
shame. Having a place to talk about these questions can be very grounding.

 

There Is No “Right Way” to Grieve
Perhaps one of the most important messages during National Grief Week is this:
Your grief is valid, exactly as it is. Even if others seem to be moving forward faster,
your pace is yours.

Whether your loss happened recently or long ago, whether your grief feels strong or
quiet, whether you cry often or feel numb, there is nothing wrong with you. Grief
changes over time, but it does not follow any rules.
Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. Reaching out for therapy, community, or
connection does not mean you are failing to cope; it simply means you are human.

 

A Gentle Invitation
If you are grieving, you do not have to carry it alone.
Therapy gives you a place where your grief is respected, your story can be shared,
and your experience is treated with care. There’s a gentle hum from a softly glowing
lamp, casting a warm light that invites you to settle in. A quiet box of tissues sits
within reach, a subtle reminder that your emotions are welcomed here. There is no
agenda and no pressure to move on, just space to breathe, feel, and start to find
your own way forward.
During National Grief Week, let’s try to be gentler with ourselves and others, talk
more openly about loss, and remember that grief is not the opposite of love; it is a
way love continues.

 

A Gentle Invitation to Support
If you are grieving and something in this piece resonates with you, know that support
is available.

Grief does not grow in neat rows like crops on a farm; instead, it flourishes like
wildflowers, unpredictable and varied in its path. You do not have to face it alone.
Talking with a trained therapist can give you a safe and caring space to explore your
loss at your own pace, without pressure to “move on” or explain your feelings.
If you are even a little curious about grief therapy, you are welcome to reach out.
Sometimes the first step is just a conversation, a chance to be met with
understanding, warmth, and care.

If therapy is not accessible to you right now, you might consider connecting with
trusted supports or exploring bereavement services in your community. What matters
most is that your grief is acknowledged and held with compassion.
During National Grief Week, I hope you give yourself permission to seek the support
that feels right for you, whether that is therapy, community, or simply giving yourself
space to grieve.