Ten Tips to Help When Grieving

By Jeff Kimball

Grief has a way of touching every part of life. It can feel disorienting, exhausting, and deeply personal. There is no single right way to grieve, and no timeline that fits everyone. What I can offer are a few principles that many people, myself included, have found helpful while moving through loss.

Think of these not as rules, but as gentle guidance. Take what resonates. Leave what does not.

Acknowledge your grief. Your grief is real. You do not need to suppress it, minimize it, or judge it. Grief is messy and rarely predictable. Accept what you are experiencing, even when it does not match what you expected or what others think is normal.

Find safe spaces to share your story. Whether with old friends, new connections, a support group, a counselor, or within the Empower Change community (our online support community), telling your story matters. Sharing helps you feel seen, understood, and less alone.

Allow the full range of emotions. Grief often brings sadness, anger, guilt, shame, relief, confusion, and more. These emotions are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of depth and love. Notice them as they arise and allow yourself to feel them, expressing them in healthy ways rather than pushing them away.

Set small and manageable self-care goals. Some days you may feel capable of a lot. Other days, getting out of bed may feel like the only victory. Both are okay. On harder days, focus on the basics. Drink water. Rest. Step outside. Small acts of care matter more than you think.

Create simple routines. Structure can help ground you when everything feels chaotic. Routines and habits are things you can control. This might look like journaling, quiet reflection, music, movement, or reading. Choose what works for you.

Honor the memory in your own way. There is no correct ritual. You might write letters, create a memory box, plant a tree, or dedicate a small space at home. Connecting to loving memories helps integrate loss into your ongoing life.

Be mindful of comparison and timelines. Try not to compare your grief to others, or your loved one to those who are still living. Avoid forcing yourself to move forward by a certain date. Grief has its own pace, and that pace is yours.

Seek professional support when needed. If grief feels overwhelming, disruptive, or unmanageable over time, reaching out for professional support can help. Counseling, grief therapy, or mental health care are valid and important options.

Use movement and listen to your body. The body often knows what the mind cannot yet name. Gentle movement like walking, stretching, or yoga can help process emotion when words feel limited. Pay attention to what your body may be asking for.

Stay open to growth, even amid loss. Life can be brutal and beautiful at the same time. Loss changes who we are. Over time, grief can lead to resilience, new perspectives, and transformation. Facing a world that feels unfair with hope and purpose is incredibly hard, but doing so can bring meaning and compassion into our lives.