Cleaning out a loved one’s belongings after their passing is one of the most emotionally complex parts of grieving. It’s a deeply personal process that can feel like a delicate balance between holding on and letting go. Among all the tasks that come with this, sorting through clothes often feels the most intimate. These were the pieces they wore, the items closest to their skin, tied to their scent, and the memories of everyday moments. How do you navigate this task without feeling like you’re erasing their presence?
While Christmas is about family, New Year’s can feel like an entirely different struggle. A new year is a fresh start for many, but for those grieving, it often feels like a painful reminder. Another year without them. Another step farther from the time you had together. It’s a lot to process.
As the seasons change and winter settles in, many of us feel a shift in our mood. The shorter days, colder temperatures, and lack of sunlight can bring about a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For those already navigating the challenging path of grief, the impact of SAD can feel particularly heavy. Grief is a complex, deeply personal experience, and when paired with seasonal mood changes, it can feel overwhelming. However, there are ways to navigate this season with resilience and care, and one of the most beautiful approaches is inspired by the Scandinavian concept of “hygge.”
When someone we care about is grieving, it can leave us feeling helpless. We want to fix it, make it better, take away their pain—but grief isn’t something that can be fixed. It’s something that must be lived through, in all its painful complexity. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably someone who wants to show up well for a friend or family member who’s grieving. That’s a beautiful intention.
As a motherless mother, it’s essential to cultivate a network of supportive individuals who can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical help. This network might include trusted friends, family members, or even mentors who can offer advice when needed.
Consider the following strategies for building your support system:
Identify Your Tribe: Surround yourself with people who uplift you, whether they are friends who have children or older women who can serve as maternal figures.
Motherhood is a life-changing experience, filled with moments of joy, challenge, and growth. But for women who are motherless daughters, becoming a mother can stir up a unique set of emotions—grief, longing, and at times, uncertainty. The absence of a mother while navigating the challenges of parenting is deeply felt, touching nearly every aspect of this journey.
As a motherless mother, it’s essential to cultivate a network of supportive individuals who can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical help. This network might include trusted friends, family members, or even mentors who can offer advice when needed.
Consider the following strategies for building your support system:
Identify Your Tribe: Surround yourself with people who uplift you, whether they are friends who have children or older women who can serve as maternal figures.
Motherhood is a life-changing experience, filled with moments of joy, challenge, and growth. But for women who are motherless daughters, becoming a mother can stir up a unique set of emotions—grief, longing, and at times, uncertainty. The absence of a mother while navigating the challenges of parenting is deeply felt, touching nearly every aspect of this journey.
Grief is one of those experiences that changes you forever. It reshapes the way you see the world, your relationships, and even yourself. But unless someone has gone through it, it can feel like they just don’t understand what you’re experiencing. That’s one of the reasons grief groups can be so powerful. They bring together people who truly get it, because they’ve walked this path, too.
Dealing with the loss of a parent can be a profoundly traumatic experience when it is unexpected, especially for young families. This unexpected loss is more intense, and the emotional impact resonates deeply within the family unit. Recognizing the unique challenges each child faces at different cognitive developmental stages is key to providing effective support.
Grief is one of those experiences that changes you forever. It reshapes the way you see the world, your relationships, and even yourself. But unless someone has gone through it, it can feel like they just don’t understand what you’re experiencing. That’s one of the reasons grief groups can be so powerful. They bring together people who truly get it, because they’ve walked this path, too.