Grief. Loss. Two heavy words that carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They often show up uninvited, much like a bad houseguest who overstays their welcome and raids your fridge. Grief support can be the opposite: it’s nowhere to be found when you need it most.
Grief and loss aren’t just about the death of someone you love. They can creep into your life in many forms: the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, a change in identity, or even letting go of a long-held dream. Whatever the form, they can leave you feeling unmoored, wondering how to ground yourself again.
That’s where sound grief support comes in. Finding a place where you can untangle the messy, complicated emotions of loss in a way that feels gentle, meaningful, and yes, even a bit mischievous at times, can be a sanity saver. Let’s explore how a sanctuary of spiritual direction and companionship can help you navigate grief…and maybe even rediscover your inner calm.
“Grief is the price we pay for love.” – Queen Elizabeth II
Understanding Grief and Loss (So we can better understand what we need from grief support)
1. Grief Doesn’t Play by the Rules (and That’s Okay)
Grief is a shapeshifter. One day, it’s a quiet ache; the next, it’s a full-on ugly cry in the middle of the grocery store because you saw your ex’s favourite brand of cereal. A smell, a sound, a facial expression — any everyday thing can bring mourning and grief right to the surface. We recognize that grief doesn’t follow a tidy, linear path — and that’s okay.
Our approach to grief support is simple: we meet you where you are. Whether you’re feeling numb, angry, or oddly hopeful, we provide a safe space to explore those emotions without judgment. Through one-on-one spiritual companionship, we sit with you in the sacred space of grief — however that may look for you. We ask gentle, honouring questions that deepen your experience in a way that helps you to move through your unique experience of grief and loss.
2. Loss Isn’t Just About Death (Surprise!)
Did you know you can grieve things that don’t involve a funeral? Yep, grief has a much broader scope than we give it credit for. Lost a job? That’s grief. Feeling untethered after retiring from a career you loved? Grief again. ‘Realized you’re not the person you used to be…or want to be? You guessed it — grief.
The end of one chapter — no matter how big or small — can feel like the end of the book. Through guided conversations and reflective practices, you may uncover some meaning behind your loss and explore what’s waiting for you in it.
3. Permission to Laugh (Even When It Feels Weird)
Let’s be real: grief can be absurd at times. Like when you’re sobbing over a photo of your old cubicle (yes, it was a terrible cubicle, but it was your terrible cubicle). Or when you find yourself having a full-blown argument with the universe about why your favourite band broke up.
Humour is a powerful healer. While we take your pain seriously, we also encourage moments of levity. Laughter doesn’t diminish your grief; it creates space for a whole prism of emotional experience. Sometimes, finding the humour in a tough situation is the first step toward reclaiming something that feels like joy.
4. Rediscovering Who You Are (Spoiler Alert: You’re Amazing)
Loss has a sneaky way of shaking up your sense of self. When siblings or parents die, it can feel like we are unmoored. If we lose a spouse (through death, or divorce) it can alter how we see ourselves. Who am I without this job? Without this relationship? Without this dream I held onto for so long? It’s like someone handed you a puzzle box with all the wrong pieces.
You have everything you need within you to piece yourself back together — not into the person you were, but into the person you’re becoming. But it can be hard to do that alone. Through reflective practices, mindful listening, and gentle encouragement, you can be guided toward a deeper understanding of yourself. Grief, as it turns out, can be a profound teacher if you’re willing to get a bit curious about it.
5. Creating a New Normal (With a Dash of Hope)
Let’s face it: life after loss will never be the same. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be good — or even better in some ways. What if you could create a “new normal” that honours your past, helps you settle into your “now” in a way that is well supported, and helps to tilt your head up and shift your gaze to the untrodden path before you?
6. It’s Not All Heavy Lifting
One of the beautiful things about healthy grief support is that it’s not all soul-searching and deep conversations (though it is those things, too). Sometimes, it’s about sitting in quiet reflection. Sometimes, it’s about celebrating small wins, like getting out of bed on a tough day. And it can be about noticing if (when?) things begin to feel hopeful, alive, and creative again.
Breath-in-your-lungs Grief Support For Your Unique Grief and Loss
Grief and loss may be unavoidable parts of life, but they don’t have to define you. In the midst of pain, there’s a still, quiet place within you — a lake of calm and clarity waiting to be rediscovered.
So, if you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or just plain stuck, why not take a step toward healing? Reach out today, and let’s navigate this journey together.
I’m ready to explore grief support. What now?
If you, your faith or community group, or your business are looking for one-on-one or group grief support, reach out. Visit our website to learn more about us. Click the button below if you’d like to jump right to meeting with Michelle and Sandra.
We also offer a no-cost grief support group at the Cochrane Public Library on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. It’s called “Unstuck: Grief” and all are welcome. Keep an eye on our website and our socials as we may be offering other no-cost community groups in the months ahead!
Looking for a bit more information before reaching out? Pop over to other journal entries: What is The Difference Between Therapy and Spiritual Direction? Identity, Spirituality, and Interior Growth A Deep(er) Dip Into The Benefits of Spiritual Direction
