Peer support, not treatment. Everything here comes from people describing what they personally lived through. Nobody is a verified therapist, doctor or mental-health professional. If you need clinical care, please also speak to a professional — see safety resources.
What I went through
Losing my mum suddenly at 24, with no chance to say anything at all.
My lowest point
Her birthday, thirteen months later, when I realised I was the only person still counting.
What helped
Writing to her. A grief group where nobody tried to fix it. Keeping one small ritual — her tea, Sunday mornings.
What changed
I stopped waiting to 'get over' it and started building a life that includes it.
Where I am now
Three years on. I can talk about her without breaking, and I still cry sometimes in supermarkets. Both are fine.
My message to anyone in it right now
The second year isn't failure. It's the year the noise stops and the real work starts. Find one person who'll let you keep talking about them.