Is My Grief Normal?
Many grieving individuals worry if what they are feeling is normal, or if what they’re feeling is too much, not enough, or somehow wrong. This is one of the most common questions people ask after the death of someone they love.
In grief groups, we constantly hear:
“I am going to say something that might sound crazy, but…”
“I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
And almost every time, heads nod around the room in agreement
The reality is that while grief is unique, many grieving individuals experience similar reactions.
Common and normal grief symptoms include:
Grief brain (forgetfulness, brain fog, difficulty concentrating)
Grief Bursts: sudden waves of emotion or tears “out of nowhere.”
Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, a tight chest, or extreme exhaustion
Sleep changes- extreme exhaustion, trouble falling or staying asleep
Increased anxiety or irritability
Feeling disconnected from friends and family
Deep loneliness
Questioning your faith or worldview
Feeling okay one moment and a complete mess the next
These are all very normal reactions, and this list could go on and on. Grief does not move through predictable stages. It does not follow a straight timeline. It often comes in waves, and there is no timeline for how long this will last.
If you want to hear real conversations about what grief actually feels like, including grief brain, triggers, and why waves happen, we talk openly about this on the GRIEF Ladies podcast, where we normalize the parts of grief people are often afraid to say out loud. Check out new episodes every Wednesday, which is available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube at: GRIEF Ladies - YouTube
