The truth about grief is that it changes you — even when you’re still expected to carry on.

This year, I lost my dad, and two dear friends one to cancer, one to a hit-and-run.

Nothing about that prepares you.

Grief rarely shows up quietly.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. It reshapes you.

Loss forces you to rethink what matters. It interrupts ordinary life without warning.

2. The silence can feel heavier than the loss itself.

People worry about saying the wrong thing, so they say nothing. Simple acknowledgement makes a difference.

3. You can still, go to meetings, serve clients, and feel shattered inside.

Functioning doesn’t equal coping.

4. Your body responds.

Sleep shifts. Focus fluctuates. Appetite changes. Grief affects far more than feelings.

5. Connection matters.

Gentle check-ins, honest conversations, and shared memories kept me steady.

6. There’s no ‘moving on’.

You move forward while carrying the love, the lessons, and the memories.

7. Talking about grief helps others feel less isolated.

As nurses and healthcare professionals, we often support others through loss. But we rarely give ourselves space to acknowledge our own.

If you’re grieving too, recently or years later, you’re not alone.

I see you.

I’m sending love your way

#GriefAwarenessWeek #BereavementSupport #NurseVoices #HealthAwareness #DiverseNurse