grieving

Two pairs of hands holding across a table and the title is The tender space between Holding on and Letting go on Journeyofsmiley.com

What if Mourning Begins in Advance? Anticipatory Grief in Invisible Losses

Have you ever thought that perhaps grief doesn’t wait for the final goodbye? What if it starts quietly, long before the ending – in those moments when we sense that change, loss, or death is coming? Let me introduce you to a term you might know, even if you didn’t know its name: anticipatory grief. Most …

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Two people sitting at a table, holding cups of coffee, and the title is From Grievers, For Grievers on Journeyofsmiley.com

What Grievers Really Need: How to Support Others and Yourself Through Grief

Grief is not a problem to solve. It’s a reality we must live through – sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, sometimes both at once. When someone you love is grieving, it’s natural to want to support them. And yet when you’re grieving yourself, it can feel impossible to ask for support, let alone accept it. In …

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Christmas decoration, a star and bells on the left side and the title Coping With Grief At Christmas on Journeyofsmiley on the right side of the picture

What Grievers Find Helpful: How to Get Through Christmas Grief?  

A few years ago, I visited a Christmas market with my husband and friends. As the familiar tune of “This is the most wonderful time of the year…” played, the wave of grief hit me. My mum and I used to visit markets together every Christmas. In that moment, surrounded by holiday cheer, I realized …

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A person walking on the beach looking forward, with her head back and wearing a hoodie. The title is Does grief ever go away on Journeyofsmiley.com

When Will My Life Go Back to Normal Again, and Does Grief Ever Go Away?

It was the night before All Souls Day. As is often the case at this time of year, I found myself thinking about the loss of my mum. I could feel a lump in my throat and shaking in my stomach. And the question, ‘Why, God?’ was on my mind again. ‘Why does it still …

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