Grief isn’t just about feeling sad. It isn’t linear, and it doesn’t stick to a timeline. Yet, these are the three most common myths people typically believe (and are told) about grief—and believing them is likely to make your journey unnecessarily harder. In my work, I’ve encountered many grievers who have found themselves thinking, “I should be over this by now,” or ask, “what’s wrong with me, why aren’t I crying?” If you’re worried about how you’re grieving, know you are not alone. Many people struggle not just with their emotions, but with the overwhelming pressure to fit into society’s preconceived (but outmoded) beliefs about what grief should look like. Let’s set the record straight.

Contemporary science is turning our understanding of grief on its head, challenging misconceptions. If you’re grieving and wondering if you’ll ever be happy again, take heart, Dr Lucy Hone shares expert advice on modern grieving practices. In this month’s blog, she focuses on an aspect of grief’s emotional landscape that doesn’t get much attention - happiness. After a decade of supporting the bereaved, listening to client stories and experiencing profound grief herself, Dr Hone challenges misconceptions about grief, explaining that happiness and grief aren’t as incompatible as you might think.

Frankly, grief sucks! Most people are so unprepared for grief - the volatility and intensity of the emotions, the unexpected loneliness, constant exhaustion and relationship disappointments. But it doesn’t have to be that way - there’s a new approach to grief that allows grievers to feel less helpless and reduce the overwhelm. Dr Lucy Hone explains what you can do when the worst happens to get your life back on track.