Navigating Grief While Showing Up for Everyday Life
How do you hold it together when you're falling apart inside?
Grief doesn’t pause when life keeps going.
Since losing my dad, I’ve had to keep waking up early, packing school lunches, coaching basketball, showing up for work, being present for my wife and kids—even on the days when my heart felt like it couldn’t take another hit.
Grief doesn’t come with a “time off” button.
It shows up in quiet moments and chaotic ones.
It weaves itself into your Monday morning routine and your Thursday grocery run.
And it’s exhausting.
The Weight of Loss + The Weight of Responsibility
There’s this silent expectation I felt:
Be strong for your family.
Don’t fall apart in front of the kids.
Keep being dependable.
But how do you handle real grief when real life still expects you to perform?
I’ve learned this: You don’t have to do it perfectly.
There’s no “right way” to grieve while parenting, working, or caregiving.
Some days you’ll snap. Some days you’ll numb out.
And some days—surprisingly—you’ll laugh, and feel guilty for it.
That doesn’t make you a bad parent, partner, or person.
It makes you human.
Grief Lives in the Gaps
For me, grief doesn’t scream.
It whispers.
It shows up when I hear a song he loved.
When I say something to my son that my dad used to say to me.
When I’m driving alone and suddenly feel that tightness in my throat.
And still—I show up.
Because life doesn’t stop.
But I’ve learned I don’t have to ignore the grief to carry on. I can carry both.
Tips for Navigating Grief with Everyday Life
These aren't fixes—just gentle reminders that have helped me:
Lower the bar. Give yourself grace. You don’t need to be superhuman today.
Pause when you can. Even 60 seconds of silence in the bathroom or car can help you reconnect to yourself.
Talk about them. Bring your loved one into the present moment—through stories, memories, or even a quiet “I miss you.”
Let people in. Even just one person who can sit with you in it is enough.
Find a rhythm, not a routine. Life may feel unstable—so create moments of grounding that work for now.
You Don’t Have to Be Okay to Begin
This season has reminded me that healing doesn’t start when everything is calm.
It starts in the chaos.
In the fatigue.
In the “I have no idea how to get through today” moments.
And so, I created something to support anyone who’s walking through grief and still trying to hold it together for everyone else.
👉 You Don’t Have to Be Okay to Begin – Learning to Live with Loss
A gentle grief bundle with:
A 7-day reflection guide
Spiritual and poetic blessings
A calming meditation audio
This isn’t a cure.
It’s a companion.
A reminder that you’re not broken for hurting, and you’re not failing if you can’t fake being okay.
Final Word
You’re allowed to grieve and still be someone’s anchor.
You’re allowed to cry in silence and still be strong.
You’re allowed to take up space for your pain, even while meeting everyone else’s needs.
Be kind to yourself.
You’re doing more than anyone knows.
And you don’t have to carry it all alone.
