When we hear the word grief, most of us think about losing someone we love. While death is one of the most recognised forms of loss, grief can be triggered by many other life changes — sometimes the ones we least expect.
Grief is the emotional, mental, and even physical response to losing something deeply valued. That “something” isn’t always a person — it can be a role, a place, a dream, or even a sense of certainty about the future.
Loss comes in many forms — these are just some examples of non-death losses that can spark grief:
- Relationships — Breakups, divorce, estrangement, friendships ending
- Health — Loss of mobility, chronic illness, infertility, miscarriage
- Career and livelihood — Job loss, retirement, business failure
- Home and security — Moving away, losing a home, financial hardship
- Community and belonging — Leaving a country, cultural displacement, loss of a faith community
- Non death trauma — A natural disaster, missing pet, stolen property
If your heart feels heavy over something, anything — your grief is still valid. Too often, we minimise these losses, telling ourselves we should “move on”. But the truth is, any change that shakes your sense of safety, identity, or future can bring deep sorrow.
Whether your grief is about someone you’ve lost or something that has changed forever, it’s worth acknowledging. And sometimes, having a safe place to talk — whether with friends, family, or a counsellor — can make all the difference.
