Riding the Rollercoaster of Grief: Giving Yourself Time, Grace, and Gratitude

Grief is not linear. It doesn’t follow a straight path or stick to a timeline. It shows up in unexpected moments—loud and quiet, soft and heavy, all at once.

Lately, I’ve been missing my dog. And in that missing, I’ve come to understand grief in a deeper way—not just as sadness, but as love with nowhere to go.

Healing through grief feels like riding an endless rollercoaster. Just when you think the ride is finally over and you’re ready to step off, something—anything—can

trigger the button, and suddenly, you’re right back on.

The only difference is: This time, the drop may not be as steep. The tunnel may not feel quite as long. But the emotions—fear, anxiety, depression, even moments of self-sabotage—are still there.

Each time that button is pressed, the ride might feel a little more familiar. Maybe it’s because we’re learning to recognize our patterns. Maybe it’s because we’re slowly starting to cope with our new reality.

There is no “getting over it. "There is only learning to move with it.

Through my own process, I’ve found comfort in small, sacred things:

• A favorite photo

• A worn toy

• A recording of their bark or meow

• A collar or blanket that still carries their scent

• A memory that lives vividly in my heart

These reminders can hurt and heal at the same time. They’re the warm, cozy energy of presence—of a spirit that still surrounds us.

And sometimes, the release that comes—whether through crying, shouting, or simply sitting in silence—helps bring us back into balance.

Grief is a ride we didn’t ask to get on. But every time we make it through another wave, we grow a little stronger. We gain more clarity. And we start to sense that our loved ones—whether human or animal—are never truly gone.They simply live with us in a different way now.

So if you’re grieving, please remember this:

Give yourself time.Give yourself grace.Give yourself gratitude.

You're not broken. You're just on the ride.

And you don’t have to go through it alone.

Absolutely. Here’s a gentle, heartfelt **journal prompt for others in grief**—something that invites reflection, release, and connection:

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Journal Prompt for Grief:

"If I could sit with you one more time…”

Write a letter to the one you’ve lost—whether it’s a pet, a loved one, or even a version of yourself. Let the words flow without judgment. You can start with:

* What would you say if they were sitting next to you right now?

* What do you miss most?

* What are you holding in your heart that you haven’t said out loud?

* How have they shaped who you are today?

Then, take a few minutes to write a second letter *from them to you*—what do you imagine they would say to comfort you?

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Optional Ritual:

After journaling, light a candle or hold something that belonged to them. Read the letters aloud, either privately or in your mind. Let the energy of love, remembrance, and healing fill the space around you.