Losing a loved one can feel like your world has been turned upside down. It’s as if there’s suddenly an empty space in your life where that person used to be, and everything can seem a bit confusing and hard to handle.
You might feel deep sadness, but there could also be moments of anger, guilt, or even numbness where you don’t feel much at all. Sometimes you could cry a lot, or other times, you might just want to be alone. These feelings can come in waves—some days might feel harder than others, and it’s okay to feel differently each day.
You might miss their voice, their presence, or the little things you shared with them. It can feel like there's a hole in your life that doesn’t go away, but over time, that space becomes something you learn to live with. It doesn’t mean you forget them, but you start finding ways to move forward with the love and memories you hold onto.
Losing a much-loved pet can feel like losing a family member. Pets are a big part of our daily lives—they give us comfort, companionship, and joy. When they’re no longer there, it can create a deep sense of emptiness.
You might miss their presence, like hearing their paws on the floor, or the way they greeted you at the door. Little routines you had with them, like feeding them or going for walks, suddenly feel different, and that can be hard to adjust to.
The emotions you feel after losing a pet can be just as strong as losing a person. You might feel really sad, lonely, or even guilty, wondering if you could have done more. Sometimes people don’t realise how painful losing a pet can be, but it’s okay to grieve for them just like you would for any loved one.
Over time, the sadness may ease, but the bond you shared with your pet will always be special. You can hold onto the happy memories and the love they brought into your life while you heal from the loss.
A miscarriage can be a deeply painful experience, both physically and emotionally. Beyond the physical pain, it often brings overwhelming feelings of sadness, loss, confusion, or even guilt. While the woman may receive much of the attention and condolences, partners can sometimes feel overlooked, struggling with their own grief in silence.
Losing a baby you had hoped for can be devastating. It’s not just the loss of a pregnancy, but also the loss of dreams and plans for the future. This can leave both people feeling a deep sense of grief and longing. Everyone processes this experience in their own way, and however you feel, it’s completely valid and normal.
When a relationship ends, it can feel like your whole world has changed. Whether it’s a romantic relationship, a close friendship, or even a family bond, the loss can bring up many emotions. You might feel sad, hurt, or even confused about what went wrong, and those feelings can linger for a while.
There’s a sense of losing the connection you once had with that person—the conversations, the shared moments, and the plans you made together. It can feel like a big emptiness in your life where that person used to be.
You might also grieve the future you imagined with them. Even if the relationship wasn’t perfect, letting go of the hopes and dreams you had can be painful. You might also feel a mix of emotions, like anger or relief, especially if the relationship had challenges.
Ending a relationship can shake your sense of stability. It can make you question who you are without that person or how life will move forward. It takes time to heal, and it’s okay to feel sad or lost for a while.
Losing a job can feel like losing a big part of your life. Jobs often give us purpose, structure, and financial security, so when it's taken away, it can leave you feeling unsettled and unsure of what to do next.
You might experience a range of emotions, like sadness, frustration, or even anger. There can be feelings of shock, especially if a job redundancy comes unexpectedly. You might also feel a sense of loss around your daily routine, your connection with coworkers, and the role you played in your workplace.
Sometimes, people also feel a hit to their self-esteem, questioning their worth or value because their job is no longer there. This can be tough because a job often becomes part of your identity, and losing it might make you feel like you've lost a piece of yourself.
On top of that, the uncertainty about the future—like how to pay the bills or what’s next in your career—can add to the stress. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but over time, it’s possible to find new opportunities and a new sense of direction. Redundancy is a difficult experience, but it doesn't define your worth or what you can achieve moving forward.
Disenfranchised grief is when you're grieving a loss, but you feel like you can’t openly talk about it or that others don’t understand or accept your grief. It’s a hidden kind of grief that doesn’t always get recognised or supported by the people around you.
For example, if you lose something important to you—like a close friendship, a pet, or even a job—you might feel the same sadness and pain as losing a loved one, but others might not see it as "worthy" of grief. They may not understand why you're hurting or might say things like, “It’s not a big deal” or “You’ll get over it.”
This can make you feel lonely, like your grief doesn’t matter or that you're grieving in silence. You might even question whether it’s okay to feel so sad. Disenfranchised grief is real, though, and just as valid as any other kind of loss. It's important to acknowledge your feelings, even if others don't fully understand them.
Anticipatory grief is the deep emotional response we feel when we know a loved one’s future is uncertain due to a terminal illness or a progressive condition like dementia. In these moments, we may begin grieving long before they are gone, not only for the eventual loss of their presence but also for the gradual changes we see in them while they’re still with us. It is a complex experience, filled with sadness for what is slipping away and the slow letting go of the person we once knew, even as we continue to love and care for them in the present.
