Grief is one of the most profound and universal human experiences. Whether you have lost a loved one, a relationship, a job, or your health, grief can feel overwhelming and isolating. Understanding the grieving process can help you move through it with more compassion — for yourself and others.

Grief Is Not Linear

The idea of "stages of grief" (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) is widely known but often misunderstood. These stages are not a checklist or a timeline — they are simply common emotional experiences that can occur in any order, repeat, or be absent entirely. Grief is non-linear, deeply personal, and shaped by culture, personality, and the nature of the loss.

Physical Symptoms of Grief

Grief is not only an emotional experience. It is also physical. Common physical symptoms include: fatigue and exhaustion, appetite changes, chest tightness, difficulty concentrating, and disrupted sleep. These are normal responses of a body under immense stress.

Complicated Grief

Most people find that grief gradually lessens in intensity over time, even if it never fully disappears. However, some people experience what clinicians call "complicated grief" or "prolonged grief disorder" — grief that remains severe and impairing after six months or more. Signs include: inability to accept the loss, persistent intense longing, difficulty engaging with life, and feeling that life is meaningless without the person.

When to Reach Out

Grief counselling and therapy can be enormously helpful when grief is significantly affecting your functioning or wellbeing. There is no threshold you must cross — you can seek support at any stage of grief. Therapy provides a space to honour your loss, process difficult emotions, and find a way to carry the grief while re-engaging with life.