How to navigate grief and loss: Tools for healing and support

Grief, the deep sorrow caused by loss, is a complex emotion everyone will face in life. Yet, no one experiences grief the same way. While the death of a loved one is often associated with grief, it can also arise from other significant losses: a relationship, serious illness or injury or even financial hardship.

Grief can be confusing, disorienting and often frustrating. It isn’t linear, and the five stages don’t unfold in a predictable path. Instead, it’s messy, complicated, painful, sometimes funny – and at times, it may bring a sense of relief, an uncomfortable feeling that often clashes with grief itself.

After losing my father, the emotions I’ve experienced over the last few months have been frustrating and confusing. From moments of sadness with realizing my new reality to moments of laughter with my family as we reminisce about our time with him. Through it all, I haven’t found a way to stop the waves of grief and sadness, some of which feel like tidal waves, but I have begun to discover practices that help me stay afloat.

Managing life and loss while grieving

1. Find support and resources. A genuine support system matters. Having friends or family who sit with you in your grief makes a difference. Support groups, books and online resources can also provide comfort and remind you that you’re not alone.
2. Allow yourself to rest. Rest is not only valid, it’s necessary. Sometimes that means sleeping more or zoning out with TV. Other times, it means deeper rest and listening to what your body and spirit truly need, such as finding little moments of joy or an easy and intentional routine. For me, that often looked like sitting in the garden, listening to music and letting myself just be.
3. Embrace the change. After profound loss, there’s no “going back to normal.” The version of life you long for no longer exists. Be gentle with yourself as you enter a new chapter. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship or a job, embracing change means acknowledging that this loss is now part of your story — shaping who you are and who you’re becoming.

Grief can feel like a storm without a clear path forward, but finding support, resting and embracing change can help you navigate through it. These practices won’t erase the pain, but they can make the journey more bearable and create space for healing in your own time and way.

Resources

If you or someone you know is working through grief and loss, these resources may offer guidance and comfort:

• Elisabeth Kübler-Ross — Renowned for her research on grief, death and dying. Her book On Grief and Grieving is a valuable starting point.
• “Ways to support someone who is grieving” by Harvard Health — Offers insights on what to do (and what not to do) when someone you care about is grieving.
• “How to support someone through grief” by The Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute — Helping people through grief emphasizes the importance of avoiding “silver linings.” Rather than trying to cheer someone up, sit with them, follow their lead, and hold space for their emotions.