Grief is exhausting, messy, and unpredictable. It barges into your life, settles in your throat, your chest, and makes you question everything about life and love. 

There’s no “right” way to grieve, no perfect advice that’ll make it less painful or fast-forward you through it. But there are several ways for you to navigate the journey, even if they’re a little clumsy or downright painful.

Grieving is chaos and non-linear. It might have you feeling lost, exhausted, and wildly emotional one moment and numb the next—that’s all part of the process.

Grief doesn’t care about our schedules or routines; grief simply shows up, makes a mess, and leaves us wondering if we’ll ever feel “normal” again. So let go of any expectations that you’ll get over this in a certain amount of time. 

Grief also, and contrary to popular belief, doesn’t have an expiration date. One day you might feel okay, and the next, you’re right back in the depths of it, which is simply how it goes.

Feel your feelings. Cry, scream, journal, or talk to someone who understands what you are going through. Feeling your emotions doesn’t make them worse—it helps them pass. Instead of pushing it away, try sitting with the discomfort. 

Be with people. Grief can make you feel like the world is a million miles away, even when you’re surrounded by people. Sometimes, your usual friends and family aren’t the right support network because they may try to cheer you up or rush you through the process. Even one person who really gets it - a lady at the supermarket, or your therapist. It can be the connection you need. 

Laughter.  Grief doesn’t mean you’re forbidden from finding moments of joy or humor. Allow yourself to enjoy little things without guilt. Bad TV. Hanging with friends. Those moments don’t “cancel out” your grief—they’re necessary breaks. Joy is healing. 

Set boundaries. Even the simplest social interactions might feel like too much.  People mean well, but they may say things that make you cringe or push you to “move on” before you’re ready. Setting boundaries around your time, space, and energy is very important. Your energy is precious right now; use it to nurture yourself, not to meet other people’s expectations.

Embrace small rituals. This might look like lighting a candle each evening, or going for a quiet walk, Little acts aren’t about “fixing” the grief—they’re about honoring it, creating space to process it without it consuming you entirely.

There might come a time when you feel ready to take a step forward. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting or dishonoring what you’ve lost. It means acknowledging that we have the privilege of living a life that will keep going, even when it feels strange or wrong. Grief and growth can coexist in the same place.

Healing is a process with no end. We are always active and engaged in the process. 

And we are here in solidarity. 

The LBT Community