We’re just a few days past six weeks into this new, uninvited season of grief, and last week, I got an email from my mom.
She knew I’d had one of those days where nothing seemed to go right. When she said, “It’s really important that you read the email I sent before you go to sleep tonight,” I assumed it was a virtual hug, maybe a few words to soothe the ache.
But what I found was my own voice staring back at me.
> “I’m throwing your own words back at you!” she wrote, quoting from one of my recent articles:
One of the most important things I learned is the value of delegation during grief. It’s okay—necessary even—to hand off responsibilities when you’re emotionally depleted. Leaning on church staff or community members isn’t a weakness; it’s an act of care for yourself and others who are grieving. Grief fatigue is real. Your emotional energy comes in waves. Rest when you need to. Let others take the lead if you’re feeling empty. You don’t have to do it all to honor someone well.
She was right. These words are ones I’ve shared with others but need to have spoken back to me—again and again.
Lately, I find myself saying, “I’m so tired. I don’t feel rested.” It’s a bone-deep exhaustion that even a good night’s sleep can’t fix. That’s grief fatigue. It shows up in small ways—forgetting what I walked into the kitchen for, staring at an email I don’t have the energy to answer, or feeling overwhelmed by the smallest decisions.
What I’m slowly learning is that it’s okay to stop fighting that fog. It’s okay to pause, to rest, to ask for help. The exhaustion, the forgetfulness, the indecision—none of it means I’m failing at grief. It just means I’m human in the face of loss.
And maybe the bravest thing any of us can do right now is to let the people who love us help carry the weight until our strength returns.
Practical ways we can navigate the fog
Make fewer decisions. Use a simple meal plan, wear the same “go-to” outfits, and keep your calendar light when you can.
Use reminders. Write things down or set phone alarms—because grief brain isn’t about forgetfulness, it’s about how much your brain can handle right now.
Accept help freely. When someone offers to bring dinner or sit with you, say yes. They want to help, and you deserve support.
Rest without guilt. Healing takes more energy than you think; sometimes the most productive thing you can do is nap or take a quiet walk.
“I hope that sharing my truth helps even one person stumble through this journey of grief with a little more grace and dignity, simply by knowing they’re not alone in what feels so uncomfortable.” -Karen Taylor, Founding CEO August Services LLC
