An individual’s experience with grief is often complex and, at times, can feel extremely isolating. As those who were less impacted move back into routine and normalcy, it is common for those grieving to feel helpless and stuck in their emotions. Sometimes, the only way to better understand grief and find a way forward is by reading about or listening to another person’s story. Grief-centered Instagram accounts are a great place a great (and free!) place to start connecting with people, stories, and communities to help unpack some of your emotions.
Benefits of Following Grief-Centered Instagram Accounts
The benefits of following Instagram accounts focused on grief and healing are similar to the benefits people experience from listening to grief podcasts.
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- Following a grief account can help you feel less alone.
- The posts and reels on these accounts often feature quotes and stories that can validate your feelings and experiences.
- Grief accounts can provide a perspective shift or insights into why you feel a particular way.
- These accounts typically also share important resources to help their followers move toward healing.
- These accounts create an online community of people facing similar experiences. You might end up bonding with someone in the comments section or were able to receive helpful advice after sending a DM.
Recommended List
The Grief Project
(@the_grief_project): Lou, a Certified Grief Educator, and Illustrator, is based out of Melbourne, Australia. Her account is a mixture of stories, quotes, and reels that provide followers with perspective shifts, empathy, and grief resources. Most importantly, Lou’s page provides a safe, judgment-free space to express your grief.
“Grief has so many layers. As you peel off one layer, another reveals itself. As time moves on, we grieve what was. We grieve what was to be. We grieve who we once were.”
The Grief Practice
(@thegriefpractice): Monique is a trauma-informed yoga teacher and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. After losing her husband at age 25, she began experiencing complicated grief for several years. Writing, yoga, and connection with others who experienced similar situations helped Monique process and move forward in her grief journey. She now works with others to help “people move with and through all kinds of loss with curiosity and compassion.” Learn more about her retreats and online classes.
“If we allow our grief to exist, it may extend us the same kindness and allow us to exist.”
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
(@ttfapodcast): Author Nora McInerny created the hugely popular podcast, Terrible, Thanks for Asking, and she also has created a large online community on Instagram. Follow her for podcast clips, show updates, resources, and more.
“We are allowed to hold our own experiences up to the light and decide what to call it, to define it for ourselves and explain that meaning to the people around us.”
Untangle Grief
(@untanglegrief): Emily, one of the founders of Untangled, wanted to create a supportive community and resource space after realizing there wasn’t much bereavement support available to most people. The team also created an app to connect locals, find support groups, chat with experts, and more.
“And sometimes you’re homesick; not for a place but for a person.”
The Grief Space
(@thegriefspace_): Charis started The Grief Space in December 2020 to help explore and talk about her grief after losing her brother. The account focuses on the messiness of grief, especially for young people experiencing loss.
“If you simply can’t understand why someone is grieving so much, for so long, then consider yourself fortunate that you do not understand.”
The Grief Gang
(@thegriefgangpodcast): Amber Jeffrey is a podcast host and blogger with a hugely popular Instagram community. After suddenly losing her mom at age 19, Amber became dedicated to creating a community that focuses on “breaking down the stigma around grief, one conversation at a time.”
“Our time together was never enough, but we’ll love again in a place where time doesn’t exist.”