Navigating Grief: Practical Steps to Find Meaning and Support Through Loss

Grief is one of the most profound and overwhelming emotions we experience. It reshapes our world, touches every aspect of our lives, and often feels like a storm we can't outrun.

If you’re navigating grief—or supporting someone who is—this guide offers gentle, practical steps to help make this moment just a little more bearable.

Grief Is a Story We Carry

When I lost my mum, it felt as though grief had become my identity. I was no longer myself; I was sadness, sorrow, and regret. I worried that grief was wearing me rather than the other way around, like an old coat I couldn’t take off.

This overwhelming sense of loss can feel consuming, but one of the most helpful lessons I’ve learned is that we are not our emotions. Grief is something we experience, not something we are.

Reframing this allowed me to step back and see that grief was just one part of my story. And when we see grief as part of a broader narrative, we realise it can hold moments of connection, love, and even gratitude.

One of those moments came during a walk after the funeral has passed. It was a grey, cold afternoon, and I found myself taking a familiar path. Though the world felt heavy and quiet, I noticed something else come in: the subtle buds forming on the branches, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and a bird’s song breaking through the stillness.

Grief hadn’t left me, but in that moment, it felt like life was still present—vibrant, beautiful, and waiting. It reminded me that even in the depths of loss, the world continues to hold small wonders if we look for them.

Grief, I learned, can be a bridge: a way to continue honouring and connecting with those we’ve lost, even though it had felt for the longest period like shutting down.

Practical Steps to Navigate Grief

I know we can’t solve for grief. We can’t take it away. We can’t fix it. I can offer you some ways to move through a profound period of grief, when you are ready. And that’s key. Some of these would have infuriated me in the early stages, others were just too far out of reach to consider. But when time had passed, when something had shifted, I started to grasp for them, sometimes gently, sometimes greedily.

These then are offered lightly for whenever you are ready:

1. Create Meaningful Rituals

Whether it’s revisiting places you shared, lighting a candle in their memory (I found this surprisingly comforting), or cooking a favourite meal (even M&S microwave food took on new resonance), rituals can help anchor your grief in love.

2. Move Your Body

In the months after my mum died, walking became my lifeline. It wasn’t just about movement—it was about giving grief the space it needed. Walking helped me process emotions in my body, and watching the changing seasons reminded me that time moves forward, even when it feels like we’re stuck.

Some of my most healing moments came from walking with others. There’s something about side-by-side movement that makes it easier to share, easier to grieve together, without the intensity of sitting face-to-face.

3. Understand Grieving Styles

Some people need to look back, holding onto memories and maintaining a connection with the person they’ve lost. Others look forward, using the loss as a motivator to engage more deeply with life. Neither approach is “right” or “wrong.” Understanding this can help you release judgment of yourself or others.

4. Seek Awe

After my mum’s death, I sought solace in awe. Inspired by Dacher Keltner’s work, I intentionally visited museums—spaces that connected me to something greater than myself. Awe can be found in the natural world, in the vastness of the universe, or in the quiet courage of others. It doesn’t take grief away, but it does offer a sense of meaning and wonder that can carry you forward.

Grief and Connection

Grief can feel isolating, but it is deeply relational. After my mum’s funeral, it wasn’t just family who showed up—it was the shopkeepers, the small-business owners, and the neighbours she’d known for decades. Their gestures of support—closing their shops, standing on doorsteps, filling the church pews—reminded me how interconnected we all are.

If you’re grieving, don’t underestimate the power of connection. Whether it’s sharing stories, asking someone to “tell me about them,” or simply sitting in silence with a friend, these moments can lessen the weight of loss

For Those Supporting Someone in Grief

I found that people stopped reaching out because they were afraid of saying the wrong thing. It can be hard to ‘get it right’, and nothing you say can make up for a loss. But even though my friends stumbled, the fact that they tried was often enough.

If you’re struggling though to know what to say, you could try these:

1. Ask Thoughtful Questions

Avoid clichés and instead ask, “What’s one thing you’ve been remembering about them lately?” or “How are you, really?”

2. Be Present Without Pressure

You don’t have to have the perfect words. Just showing up matters.

3. Keep Showing Up (Even Later On)

Grief doesn't end after the funeral. In fact, the weeks and months afterward can feel even lonelier. A simple message saying, “Just thinking of you today,” or “I’m here if you want to talk—or not talk,” can mean more than you know. Mark anniversaries, birthdays, or just check in on ordinary days. The smallest acts of remembering can be profoundly comforting.

4. Offer Something Specific

People often say, “Let me know if you need anything”—but in grief, decision-making and asking for help can feel impossible. Instead, offer something tangible: “I can bring over dinner next Thursday,” “I’m heading to the shops—can I pick anything up for you?” or “Would you like some company on a walk this weekend?” Thoughtful, practical support speaks volumes.

5. Accept Their Experience as It Is

Each person grieves in their own way and on their own timeline. Avoid comparing or trying to "fix" their feelings. Instead, acknowledge their experience with phrases like, “That sounds so hard,” or “I can’t imagine what that feels like, but I’m here with you in it.” Allow their emotions—whatever they are—to be valid and witnessed.

Grief is hard, it just is

When we grieve, it’s easy to feel like we’re stuck. But grief, like life, is fluid. It holds space for laughter as well as tears, for forward movement as well as reflection. It’s not a betrayal to feel joy, gratitude, or even awe amidst your loss.

Grief can be overwhelming, and I understand why you’d want to navigate it alone. To retreat. And that’s what I did for a while, cancelling plans and memberships, appointments and social events.

But I also leaned on my work as an emotions coach. It helped me honor grief for what it was and what it needed to be for me.

If you’re curious about how this might help, book a free consult. We can talk about how emotions coaching can help you process your grief, stay connected with your loved ones, and rediscover meaning.