Today is National Grief Awareness Day. Anne Twist has taken to her Instagram to share her own personal thoughts and experiences with grief.
Anne’s husband Robin, who was stepfather to Sign of the Times, singer Harry Styles and his sister writer and Mental Health Advocate Gemma, as well as two children from a previous marriage, Mike and Amy, sadly passed away a couple of years ago in June 2017 after a long battle with cancer.
Both Robin and Anne supported many charities and took part in many fundraising events to raise awareness for their chosen charities, including a sponsored walk around Knowsley Safari Park, and Robin even got waxed once for charity.
In her Instagram post, Anne talks about how everyone ” copes differently”, and “at different paces”. She speaks candidly and openly in the post which is sure to touch the heart of many as grief is something that everyone goes through but is not often talked about.
It’s why National Grief Awareness Day is so important as it recognizes the time it takes to heal from a loss. Grief doesn’t have a prescribed course or a time frame, it affects everyone differently.
National Grief Awareness Day, is a day to support those in your life who have been affected by any form of loss.
The death of a loved one, a close friend or enduring an extreme change in their lifestyle can trigger grief. When we lose the stability of shelter, a job or a routine we have known for years, we suffer a type of loss that requires closure. Some adjust to these changes easily, and others take time to become familiar with new routines.
Things you can do tell help a friend loved one or work colleague you know:
- Offer to listen to them if they need/want to talk
- Ask them to join you for a coffee or tea.
- Send them a message letting them know you are thinking about them!
If you find you are suffering from grief, know that it’s natural. You’re not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help if you feel your grief is overwhelming.
If you need help dealing with loss, Cruse Bereavement Care is a charity that has lots of help and information.