How Irish People Cope – And Sometimes Don’t – With Grief

Grief isn’t always loud. Often, it’s quiet, isolating, and hard to name.

You might be holding it together at home, showing up for others. But bereavement often means feeling numb, lost, or unable to focus. You might cry when no one’s looking—or wonder why you can’t cry at all. If you feel alone in your grief, you’re not imagining it.

At MyMove Counselling, we meet people every day, burdened by bereavement, who are trying to carry on while carrying loss. There’s no one way to grieve, and no right timeline. But there are ways to make space for your grief—so it doesn’t stay stuck in the background.

“Getting On With It” Isn’t the Only Way

We often hear “you just have to get on with things.” It sounds strong and sometimes it helps us cope. But when we rush past bereavement, it can settle quietly in the background, showing up later as anxiety, sadness, isolation or burnout. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to not feel okay.

If you’re someone who holds their bereavement together for everyone else, we invite you to create space for your own feelings, too.

Creating New Rituals That Feel Right

For many, religion offers a guiding framework for making sense of bereavement, it gives meaning, comfort, and connection. These spiritual traditions can be a powerful anchor during grief. In our everyday lives, we can carry that guidance forward in quiet, practical ways: going to a place we frequented with the departed, preparing a favourite meal, writing down thoughts to express what can’t be spoken. These small acts can reflect the values of remembrance, care, and presence. At MyMove, we support ways of grieving that are both grounded in tradition and meaningful in daily life.

Find what feels right for you—and make space for it in your own way.

Grief Needs Time—And Permission

In a world of deadlines it’s easy to feel like you should be “over it” by now. But there’s no timeline for grief. Bereavement is a deeply personal journey.

At MyMove Counselling, we encourage you to take the time you need, whether that means talking without the expectations of others, remembering, crying, or simply sitting with your feelings.

You’re allowed to feel it all—and to take your time.

When Grief Feels Stuck

Sometimes grief or bereavement softens on its own. Other times, it lingers—heavy and unresolved. If your grief feels stuck, whether recent or long held, talking with a therapist can help. You don’t need to “fix” anything. You just need a safe space to feel, to talk unrestricted, to be heard, and to make sense of what loss means for you.

You Deserve Support

If you’re grieving—whether your loss is fresh or long past—you don’t have to face it alone. MyMove Counselling is here to walk beside your bereavement with care, understanding, and support at your pace.

📞 Call us on 1800 832 032

🌐 Or visit our Bereavement Therapy Page HERE

Grief may change you, but it doesn’t have to define you.

Support is here when you’re ready.