Rising Through Grief

A Blog About Understanding, Navigating, and Rising Through Grief.

Grief vs. Depression: Why the Line Is Blurry and That’s Okay

One of the most painful questions people ask after a loss is, “Am I grieving… or am I depressed?” Usually, that question comes with fear that something is wrong, broken, or they are not healing the way they are supposed to. Here’s the truth many people are never told: Grief and depression overlap because they

The Science of Grief: How Your Brain Changes After Loss

When we think of grief, we usually think of the heart. We imagine sorrow as something that sits heavy in the chest, as tears, or as an ache that time might soften. But grief does not live only in the heart. It also lives in the brain. When someone we love dies, the mind reacts

Finding Father Energy in Unexpected Places (And Why It Matters)

Not all of us grew up with a dad. Some of us were raised by two incredible moms.Some by grandparents, aunties, or a single mom who did everything.Some had dads who were physically present but emotionally far away.And others… never really had that relationship at all. So, when we talk about “father energy,” we’re not

5 Ways to Find Peace After a Painful Relationship with Your Father

Let’s say the quiet part out loud: Not everyone had a “World’s Best Dad” mug situation. Some of us had absent dads. Or angry. Or emotionally unavailable.Some of us had dads who loved conditionally or hurt us more than they helped.And when you grow up with a father like that, it does something to you—it

How to Grieve the Death of Your Dad—Your Way, In Your Time

Grief doesn’t own a stopwatch. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t care about “stages,” timelines, or how well you keep it together at work. It certainly doesn’t take a roll call on Father’s Day to ensure you’re emotionally prepared for the onslaught of “#1 Dad” mugs. If you’ve lost your dad, let’s get one thing

10 Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Getting Competitive

Competition. It’s not just for Olympic athletes, game show contestants, or that one overly intense guy in your office fantasy football league. Getting competitive — in sports, board games, career goals, or even karaoke — might be just what your brain ordered. That’s right: getting your game face on isn’t just about glory and bragging

6 Fun and Easy Ways to Plan a Game Night That Boosts Your Mental Health

Game night: where snacks meet strategy, laughter meets light sabotage, and someone gets serious with Monopoly. Whether you’re gathering your chosen family, your actual family, or your competitive friend who swears they’re not competitive, game night is a great way to boost connection and sneak in some joy therapy. Here are six fun and (mostly)

5 Reasons Why Watching or Playing Sports Can Help You Heal (Not Just Win)

Let’s be honest: when we think about sports, we may imagine sweaty people chasing balls, grunting dramatically, and flexing muscles we didn’t even know existed. Winning trophies? Sure. Going full beast mode? You bet. But here’s a wild idea — what if sports weren’t just about victory laps and post-game pizza? (Though we fully support

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health While Grieving a Mother Who’s Gone

Because love doesn’t disappear—and neither does grief (unfortunately). Let’s just say it: Mother’s Day can be hard when your mom is no longer here. The commercials cue the violin music. Store aisles bloom with pink tulips and “Best Mom Ever” mugs. And there you are—just trying to buy paper towels without collapsing next to a

How to Heal When Your Mother Was the One Who Hurt You

Breaking the silence. Rebuilding from the roots. Let’s address a societal norm that makes it challenging to acknowledge maternal trauma. Saying “My mother hurt me” is not easy. Society often idealizes unconditional motherly love, and Hallmark cards rarely have a section for, “Thanks for the emotional trauma, Mom.” But the truth is: some wounds are