HOLDING SPACE FOR GRIEF

Grief is often thought of as something we’re supposed to get over or move past. But for individuals living with chronic illnesses like ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or Long COVID, grief often becomes a daily companion. It’s not just about mourning a person—it’s about mourning a life that has changed. A role you used to play. A job you used to love. The way your body once moved without hesitation.

Meditation as a Safe Space for Grief

The meditation begins with a simple truth: grief is not a weakness. It is not a failure. It is, as the guide gently explains, “a form of love with nowhere to go.” That sentiment alone is powerful for anyone navigating the daily losses that come with chronic illness.

Rather than encouraging you to suppress or overcome your grief, this practice asks only one thing of you: let it exist.

No Right Way to Grieve

There are no rules for posture or breath. You don’t have to sit up straight or breathe deeply unless it feels good. Slumping, curling, or lying still are all welcome. This is a practice built on permission, not performance.

As the meditation progresses, you are invited to silently acknowledge something you’ve lost since being diagnosed—maybe a role you once held, a rhythm of life, a relationship, or a physical ability. You don’t have to make peace with it. You don’t have to be okay with it. Just let yourself say, “This mattered to me.”

Every Emotion Is Allowed

Whether tears come, or numbness, or nothing at all—every response is valid. You are not broken for feeling too much, or too little.

One of the most moving moments in the meditation uses a visual metaphor: imagine your grief as a small flickering candlelight. It’s not a fire to fear, but a quiet flame. It represents memory, care, and a part of who you are—but it doesn’t define you. You are still more. You are still here.

Let Go of the Timeline

In a world that often pressures us to “move on,” this meditation reminds you that there is no timeline for grief. There is only the breath. There is only this moment.

As the meditation closes, you are invited to silently repeat:

“My grief is real. My love is real. I carry both.”

This simple phrase holds immense power, especially for those whose grief is not always visible or acknowledged. It honors the duality of pain and love, sadness and strength.

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This guided meditation doesn’t ask you to change anything about yourself. It doesn’t tell you how to grieve—it just offers a safe, quiet space to feel what is already there.

And sometimes, that is the most healing gift of all.