Dear Grief Friend,

A few weeks ago, we asked our newsletter readers a simple question: "What is one thing that has helped in your grief?"

The question was intentionally broad and straightforward. Responses could describe anything, big or small, and could reflect what helps with any aspect of life after a loss.

We expected some people to answer "nothing," and a few did. We respect this response as much as any other. Who among us hasn't felt, at times, that there is nothing they, or anyone else, can do to help with the terrible pain of loss?

What was somewhat unexpected, though, was the number of responses we received - about 240 - describing what has helped them. I don't know about you, but I find this incredibly hopeful. To be clear, no one described anything that "took away," "healed," or "resolved" their grief. By now, I hope we're all on the same page that getting rid of grief isn't the goal.

Instead, people shared things—many quite small—that help them live alongside their grief, integrate it, find moments of peace and perspective, and continue to live meaningful, connected, and purposeful lives.

When we first asked the question, we said we'd share the responses in an upcoming newsletter. However, because we received so many thoughtful responses, this no longer seems feasible. Instead, we'll share some of the main themes we noticed in this newsletter, and in the future, we'll share a post on WYG that offers a more complete summary.

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Thank you to everyone who submitted a response. We will share more of the responses on What's Your Grief in the coming weeks.

Let's get the holiday grief support rolling...

We know the holidays can be complicated. We’ll be diving deeper into this in the weeks ahead, but for now, here are a few of our most-read pieces on grieving through the season.

After a Death, the Holidays are a Secondary Loss

Setting Holiday Boundaries (even when it's hard)

7 Ways to Go Easy on Yourself While Grieving at the Holidays

Sunday, December 28th
3pm ET / 12pm PT / 8pm GMT

Cost for Workshop and Workbook = $10

The turn of the year can feel complicated when you’re grieving. While everyone else seems busy making resolutions and cheering for “fresh starts,” you might be thinking:

I don’t feel ready for anything new.
This year was shaped by loss—how am I supposed to just move on?
I want to honor what I’ve lived through… but I also don’t want to feel this stuck forever.

Our 90-minute live workshop—with a companion workbook—offers a gentle, structured way to look back on the year you’ve lived through, stay connected to the person (or people) you’ve lost, and consider what you need as you step into 2026. No “New year, new me” pressure—just space, reflection, and support.

Register Today and Access Your Workbook Right Away

*This workshop is free for WYG Hub Subscribers. Details for joining will be shared in the WYG Hub prior to the event.

Ask a Grief Expert:

Can you or should you gift belongings from someone who's died to someone else during the holiday season?

Our answer come from Charlene Lam, grief coach and creator of the interactive course Curating Grief: Sorting the Stuff of Life and Loss, hosted in the What's Your Grief Hub.