Grief doesn’t cancel joy. It teaches you how to find it differently

If you have ever felt guilty for smiling, laughing, or feeling even a little bit of joy after loss – then this is for you.

After I lost my sister, it didn’t feel right to be happy. I didn’t think I would ever smile or laugh again. It felt wrong. It felt like I was betraying my sister’s memory. I thought being happy would mean that I was forgetting her.

But that’s a lie. Joy and grief can co-exist.

Just because you are grieving doesn’t mean that joy has to disappear from your life. They can sit side by side. You can miss someone deeply and still laugh again. You can cry one minute and laugh the next. That doesn’t make you disloyal – it makes you human.

You don’t have to wait until the pain has gone to feel joy again. You can find it in the small things – the coffee date with a friend, a walk outside, watching your favourite movie, or reading a good book.

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It’s about incorporating their memory into your everyday life.

Here’s something you can do today.

Take five minutes and write down three things that brought you peace or comfort this week. It could be a kind word, something that made you smile, a quiet moment. It’s not always about the big things, we can find joy in the small, simple things.

And if you’re walking through this season feeling spiritually worn out, questioning your prayers, or just needing someone to truly listen - I'm here.

I offer 1:1 Listening Sessions for Christian women navigating loss, exhaustion, or those quiet seasons of faith. It’s a safe, space to be seen, heard, and supported - without pressure, without judgment, and without needing to have it all together.

Whether you’re holding back tears in church, feeling disconnected from God, or just longing for someone to sit with you in the silence, this space was created for you.

Message me the word “JOY” and I’ll send you the details. Or sign up for my weekly emails for encouragement for your week.