Grief is one of the most universal human experiences—and yet, it often feels isolating and misunderstood. Many people expect grief to follow a neat timeline: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But real grief? It’s rarely that tidy.

Grief is not linear. It doesn’t obey a calendar or show up in stages that can be checked off like a to-do list. Some days you’ll feel like you’re coping just fine. Other days, a song, a smell, or a memory can undo you in seconds.

This unpredictability isn’t a sign you’re doing grief “wrong”—it’s a sign you’re doing it honestly.

The Myth of Moving On

Society often pressures us to “move on” or “get closure,” but these expectations can do more harm than good. When someone you love is gone—or when you’re grieving a different kind of loss, like a relationship, identity, or life chapter—you don’t move on. You move with it.

Grief changes you. It reshapes your inner world. Instead of forgetting or replacing what was lost, healing often means integrating it—carrying the memory, the love, the pain—with you as you continue living.

Common Myths About Grief

• “It gets easier with time.” Time can soften the edges, but grief doesn’t expire. It ebbs and flows, sometimes catching you off guard years later.
• “You should be over it by now.” There is no deadline. Grief lasts as long as love does.
• “Talking about it will make it worse.” In reality, sharing your grief can be deeply healing. Being witnessed in your sorrow is a powerful step toward integration.

Making Space for Your Grief

At Wild Mountain Counselling, we honour the individual path of grief. Whether you’re dealing with a fresh loss or a decades-old ache that still lingers, our goal is to create a space where your experience is welcome.

Grief can show up in many forms:

• Tears and sadness
• Anger and frustration
• Numbness or disconnection
• Guilt or “what ifs”
• Even moments of joy that feel like betrayal

There’s no wrong way to grieve. There’s only your way.

Nature as a Companion in Grief

Spending time in nature can be a gentle, grounding companion in the grieving process. The changing seasons, the silence of the woods, the flow of a river—these natural rhythms remind us that change, loss, and renewal are all part of life.

You might find solace in a walk through the forest, a quiet moment by a lake, or simply breathing with the trees. Grief doesn’t always need words—it needs space.

You’re Not Alone

Grief can feel like a wilderness. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Counselling can offer tools, presence, and support as you learn to carry your loss and care for your emotional wellbeing.

Your path may be winding, but it’s still a path. And walking it with compassion makes all the difference.