The hottest Grief Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Dog is God Backwards

Off-Topic • 314 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Pets Grief Family Language Emotions
  1. Pet owners often create unique voices and stories for their pets, like a little private language that makes life more fun. This 'Dog Voice' reflects the owners' love and imagination.
  2. The bond with pets can feel deeply personal, almost as if they have their own personalities and inner lives. This connection helps owners cope with feelings of loss when pets are gone.
  3. Grieving a pet is natural and shows the strong emotional ties we form with them. Many people have shared similar feelings throughout history, which shows that this love is universal.

Part 2: Disaster strikes

PASSAGES • 2098 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Stories Minimalism Grief Homeownership
  1. A leaking refrigerator hose under the house caused serious damage over time. The owners didn't realize it because it was a slow drip.
  2. After being away for years, the owners discovered all their treasured items in the garage were ruined by mold and water damage.
  3. Even though the owner had become a minimalist, losing their art collection and family memories was a painful experience that brought intense grief.

Technology and Grieving

Margins by Ranjan Roy and Can Duruk • 5203 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Grief Health care Child Health Neurology Mental health
  1. Technology can help us understand and communicate health issues better. Tools like generative AI can make complex medical information easier to grasp for everyone.
  2. Grieving is a personal journey that everyone experiences differently. It's important to remember that your feelings of loss and sorrow are valid, and sharing your story can help others feel less alone.
  3. Creating memories with loved ones is crucial. Spending time with family, sharing experiences, and cherishing little moments can make a lasting impact, even after they've gone.

The End of an Era

In Bed With Social • 376 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Grief Love Technology Literature Memory
  1. Grief can make us feel heavy and sad, but it also helps us understand what really matters in life. When we lose someone, we start to see everything more clearly and value the little moments.
  2. Technology tries to help us hold on to our loved ones, but it's not the same as real love. We can't replace the feelings we have with digital copies or memories; we need to accept the loss and let love evolve.
  3. True strength comes from learning to live with the idea of impermanence. It’s important to make space for grief, knowing that love will still exist in our memories and shape who we are.

It's Coming Around Again

Disaffected Newsletter • 2697 implied HN points • 06 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Family Grief Community Death Relationships
  1. Steve is in a peaceful place as he approaches the end of his life, and he feels comforted by the presence of his late wife, Lisa.
  2. Family and friends are coming together to support each other during this difficult time, showing a warm, loving environment.
  3. The narrator reflects on their experience with family gatherings, realizing that not all families have to be filled with conflict and drama.
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An Atheist Grief Observed

Skeptic • 65 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Atheism Grief Religion Mental health Philosophy
  1. Loss can be incredibly overwhelming, and sometimes it can lead to devastating consequences like suicide. The experience of losing a home and a loved one at the same time can multiply the grief.
  2. Being an atheist can change how one processes grief. Without a belief in a higher power, there can be less internal conflict and blame, allowing for a more straightforward acceptance of loss.
  3. Compassion and support from friends and family can help during difficult times. Even in the face of tragedy, the kindness of others can soften the experience of loss.

The Strange Grief of Losing a Dog

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 876 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Grief Family Pets Memory
  1. Losing a pet, especially a dog, can lead to deep feelings of grief and loneliness. Coming home to the absence of a beloved dog can be especially hard.
  2. Grief can feel different depending on who we lose. Each relationship shapes our feelings of loss in unique ways, whether it’s a child, friend, parent, or pet.
  3. Holidays often bring back memories of lost loved ones, including pets. These times can stir up both sweet memories and painful feelings of absence.

The Book of Love

Everything Is An Emergency • 2525 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
📚 Literature Memoir Creative Writing Personal Reflection Parenting Grief
  1. The author grapples with how to keep the memory of her deceased husband alive for their newborn daughter. She wants to make him a real part of Athena's life, not just a memory.
  2. Writing serves as a way to confront grief and maintain a connection with the past, helping the author hold onto memories of her husband while also creating new stories with her daughter.
  3. The author reflects on the difficulty of moving forward after loss, balancing the urge to keep her husband's story alive while also accepting that she must let him go in some ways.

#194: On grief and posting through it

Maybe Baby • 1097 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Grief Social media Communication Mental health Relationships
  1. Grief doesn't have a 'right' way to be expressed. It's okay to feel a mix of emotions and thoughts during this tough time.
  2. Sharing about loved ones on social media can feel awkward, but it also offers a chance for connection and support from friends.
  3. Wanting attention or recognition for your feelings is natural. Seeking out comfort from others can be a healthy part of your grieving process.

Future Talk with my Daughter in Heaven

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 2279 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Family Relationships Grief Forgiveness
  1. A conversation between a father and daughter in heaven reflects on past struggles with gender identity
  2. The father expresses regret for not protecting the daughter better and struggles with forgiving those who enabled gender confusion
  3. The daughter acknowledges the impact of her choices on her father, illuminating the challenges of understanding and coping with changing identities

Until the Heart Catches

Neckar’s Notes • 129 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions Mental health Self-discovery Grief Expression
  1. Emotions like sadness and tears are normal and can be a sign of strength. It's healthy to let yourself feel deeply and express those feelings.
  2. Journaling can help you understand and release difficult emotions. Writing about your feelings lets you process them better.
  3. Allowing yourself to feel grief can also lead to joy and gratitude. Embracing your emotions can help connect you more with your own experiences and memories.

Phone addiction, Stanley stans and the out-of-office message I struggled to send

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 2016 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Grief Self-care Physical health
  1. The author discusses the challenges of crafting an out-of-office message after a personal tragedy, highlighting the struggle of balancing professionalism and personal disclosure.
  2. The societal expectations around grief and the pressure to provide a 'good excuse' for taking time off work are explored, shedding light on the complexities of navigating personal loss in professional settings.
  3. The post touches on broader themes related to privacy, empathy, and the need for more open conversations around grief and loss, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and accepting one's emotional state.

The Worst, Worst Week

Culture Study • 8643 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Grief Loss Recovery
  1. The author's dog passed away, leading to deep sadness and grief.
  2. The author is also recovering from their first case of COVID, adding to the difficult week.
  3. The author is taking a break from the newsletter to heal and put themselves back together.

Tara Brach On The 'Sacred Art of Pausing'

Changing The Channel • 1335 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Meditation Compassion Grief Trauma Healing
  1. Tara Brach emphasizes the importance of pausing and creating space for empathy and grace to change how we experience life.
  2. To bridge outer divides, we first need to bridge our inner divides by connecting with our emotions and practicing self-compassion and mindfulness.
  3. Acknowledging trauma and allowing space for collective grieving can help in fostering shared humanity and healing in a polarized world.

Lean In, 10 Years Later

My Sweet Dumb Brain • 1749 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Work-life balance Mental well-being Self-care Grief Productivity
  1. The author has transitioned from focusing on 'leaning in' or 'leaning out' to simply trying to lean in different aspects of life.
  2. Taking on extra work can alleviate financial worries but bring new stressors of time management and choices.
  3. The societal view on work and success has shifted from a 'work harder' mentality to recognizing the importance of balance, mental health, and avoiding burnout.

These Grapes Are Sour

The Reclamation Era • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Parenting Literature Vulnerability Grief Personal Growth
  1. It's okay to feel sad about what we couldn't achieve. Being honest about our feelings can be tough but it's a part of healing.
  2. Sometimes we convince ourselves that what we didn't get wasn't really valuable. Acknowledging our true desires is important.
  3. Vulnerability can be a strength. Sharing our struggles may help us connect with others and find support.

A Sadness That Holds Hope For Joy

The Recovering Academic • 1108 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Recovery Emotions Grief Self-reflection Personal Growth
  1. The author's experience in academia made him doubt his profession and himself, leading to a significant shift in his life.
  2. The transition out of academia was filled with sadness and nostalgia, but also led to new beginnings and hope for the future.
  3. The recovery process involved accepting personal truths, finding support in others with similar experiences, and rediscovering joy after difficult times.

The Biggest Thing in My Life is Small

Lore Ferguson Wilbert • 1375 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Grief
  1. The author reflects on the unique experience of being in a childless couple while most peers are raising kids.
  2. Feelings of shame and guilt may arise in the author due to differences in lifestyle and challenges faced by childless individuals.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of embracing one's own life path and not comparing it to others'.

The Ache

Babbling On • 1297 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Grief Healing Self-Expression
  1. The author reflects on the mixed emotions and struggles he faced after his father's unexpected death.
  2. The funeral on a Super Blue Moon is highlighted as a significant and emotional event.
  3. Memories and stories shared at the funeral display the author's complex relationship and deep love for his father.

Where to go to sleep after all of this?

Escaping Flatland • 1179 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Grief Family End of Life Care Reflection
  1. Grandma shared a story about a dream of having a stroke and her increasing liveliness as death approached.
  2. Grandma had a challenging life, caring for sick family members and living with regrets about her education.
  3. The family gathered and supported each other during grandma's final moments, reflecting on memories and finding solace.

Godspeed, Lisa Carlson

Disaffected Newsletter • 1658 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Obituaries Grief Advocacy Community
  1. Lisa Carlson was a passionate advocate for families dealing with death. She wanted people to understand they could care for their loved ones themselves without spending a lot of money.
  2. She wrote the first book that taught families how to handle their dead at home, which helped many realize they didn't have to rely on expensive funeral services.
  3. Lisa was known for her honesty and humor, and she believed laughter could help heal pain. She had a unique, caring spirit that touched everyone around her.

The Fragile Beauty of Trying, with Isabella Goldman

Trying In Public • 79 implied HN points • 12 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Creativity Loss Vulnerability Self-compassion Grief
  1. Creativity is a mysterious process that often results in something beyond capture, whether creating life or art.
  2. Loss and failure are parts of the creative process, and handling them can vary based on the medium one works in.
  3. Being vulnerable and sharing the journey of trying, even if it leads to painful outcomes, can create stronger connections and provide valuable lessons in forgiveness and self-discovery.

Grief, starlight, and living from the heart

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1477 implied HN points • 18 Sep 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Grief
  1. To live in this world, you must love what is mortal and hold it close to you as your own life depends on it, then be ready to let it go when the time comes.
  2. Grief, starlight, and living from the heart are key themes in this post.
  3. The importance of embracing impermanence and being able to release things when the time comes is highlighted.