We don’t just grieve when a loved one dies. Though many feel that’s the only time we are “allowed” to grieve, the truth is that grief appears in so many forms. Grief is, at its heart, a deep sadness; one we feel in countless ways throughout our lives.
We grieve over friendships that were once intertwined so tightly but have now lost their elasticity.
We grieve over romantic relationships, mourning what they once were and what they will never be again. It’s like a glass of water being spilled; once it’s spilled, it can never be a glass of water again.
We grieve over growing up, over life’s truths being revealed. We mourn our ignorance and innocence in ways we don’t often speak about.
We grieve over our children—their independence, their struggles, the way we cannot protect them from everything, no matter how much we wish we could.
We grieve over past versions of ourselves, searching for the joy or energy we once had and feeling unsure if we’ll ever get it back, no matter how many books we read or podcasts we listen to.
We grieve over our bodies that have changed, over the capabilities we once had but can no longer reach.
We grieve over change itself, in all its forms whether we asked for it or not.
It’s okay to grieve. I want to remind you that you are never alone in this. Walking through the woods of grief is often a silent journey, one we take while the outside world continues on, oblivious. You may feel like you have to navigate it by yourself, but I promise, others have walked this path, too.
I wish I had a universal answer for how to get through grief. I really do.
What I can tell you is that it isn’t a straight line. Some days, you’ll feel fine, even hopeful. And then, out of nowhere, grief will show up like an unexpected visitor—one who arrives uninvited and unannounced, leaving you unprepared.
In those moments, be gentle with yourself. Grief isn’t something to “fix” or “finish.” It’s something to feel and carry until it lessens its weight. Grief may never truly leave, but over time, you may find it settling into the corners of your heart, leaving space for other things; hope, love, and even joy.
Grief is the echo of something meaningful, a reminder of how deeply we’ve loved, how deeply we’ve lived. And while it’s heavy, it’s also proof that you’re human, that you’ve cared, that you’re still here; growing and walking forward, one step at a time.
Give yourself permission to grieve. Give yourselves permission to cry. Give yourself permission to close off the world for a bit. Give yourself permission to not have to explain. Give yourself permission to heal. Give yourself permission to not be okay.
The Wild Gems 