05/09/2026
Grief is not linear. Grief has no “right or wrong” way. Grief is so different for everyone, and sometimes when multiple people are grieving the same event or loss, they may be handling grief in polar opposite ways and that can lead to one or both feeling let down, alone in their grief, or like they are failing in their grief.
This example is so great because it shows a person who is highly intuitive in their grief, speaking with someone who has a very different perspective, but what the friend does that is beautiful, is he tried to be curious rather than judgmental. He does not condemn, or label, or judge the intuitive grieving friend. He allows his friend to teach him how he is grieving.
If you are going through it yourself or supporting a loved one in grief, remember that behavior is a language and everyone holds grief very differently. It is not always intuitive. Sometimes it looks like staying busy and solving problems or doing acts of service. Sometimes it looks like cocooning for a season. Sometimes it looks like closing down because they need time to internally process before they can allow it to show outwardly… so many ways to experience grief. Hold space and be curious without trying to tell someone to “let it go” or “at least…” and just sit and make emotional space for your loved one to teach you through words or behavior.
