# Balanced Wheel > BalancedWheel ## Posts - [Grief and Mental Health - Round Post](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-mental-health-round-post/): As someone that has unfortunately experienced grief, I often feel there is not much said in terms of how grief can affect our mental health. Before we go into this, I want to start by saying this isn’t expert advice or me trying to insinuate that I know everything. All I want to do is share my opinion based on my grief journey. When I lost my parents, my emotions were all over the place and so was my mental health. For the first time in my life, I had to deal with my mental health and consciously find ways - [Collective Grief - Round Post](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/collective-grief-round-post/): Grief comes in many shapes and sizes and it affects us all. Last week in the UK, Queen Elizabeth II died after a 70 year reign. The national response to her death from my observation has been mixed. There are those who are deeply mourning the national grief alongside the Royal family for the loss of their 96 year old mother, grandmother and Queen.  While some believe that she ‘tried’ as she was blessed enough to live on the earth for so long. Others grieve the loss of an era, the loss of a constant public figure. While others felt - [Getting Over The Death Of A Loved One](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/getting-over-the-death-of-a-loved-one/): If you have experienced grief on a personal level, you’ve probably heard the statement “you will get over it”. This statement seems to be the ambassador of grief blanket statements that people always say.  I remember, it was only days into the death of my husband when I was also told, “you will get over it” , in that instant, my mind wondered how I would “get over it?”? What does getting over this mean? When will l get over it? How long will it take me to get over it? What does getting over it mean? As you can - [Grief and Faith – Round Post](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-faith-round-post/): ‘Love gives us memories; faith gives us strength’ Grief and faith can be very complex subjects to dissect. Our faith is something we typically cling to through challenging times, and it gives us the courage to persevere as the above quote said. At times this can be applicable in times of grief, however, it is not as straightforward. Grief can leave us in a rubble and leave us unsure of where we are in our faith. Navigating through grief can be a challenging and overwhelming process. Is there space for grieving in faith? What does it look like to grieve - [Feeling Guilt while Grieving-Round Post](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/feeling-guilt-while-grieving-round-post/): Many people struggle with feelings of guilt, and for various reasons. For some it may be the nature of the loss or the regret of things left undone or said with the lost loved one.  Guilt is also another way we grieve, we miss our loved one and even miss them in advance of the future. We try to conjure up alternative situations which we may or may not have had control over, which could have meant our loved one may still be alive.  The honest truth is that, we can never truly know what the future may or may - [How to Support Someone Bereaved—Round Post](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/supporting-someone-that-has-been-bereaved/): The loss of a loved one is, of course, a painful process. As we always say, grief is not something you need to or feel like you have to go through alone. Even with this, the loss of a loved one can also be an uncomfortable process for those surrounding an individual that is grieving. To begin with, before delving into this post it is important to clarify that no matter how uncomfortable you feel or the situation may make you feel, it is vital to acknowledge their loss. Knowing what to say and the ways to reach out to - [Early Response to Grief Round Post](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/early-response-to-grief-round-post/): Grief, for the most part, takes us by surprise.  Even when it is anticipated, it can still feel like a shock. The initial response to losing a loved one varies from person to person, as there is a whole array of emotions felt during the pain of loss.  Although many guides refer to the stages of loss, it is not so easy to journey through them neatly stage by stage until you are eventually ‘healed’. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one or been around someone who has lost someone dear to them; you will know that - [Food And Grief: What Role Does Food Play When Grieving?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/food-and-grief/): We’ve spoken about different types of grief on our blogposts and its effects on many facets of life, such as sleep, finances, and everyday life. In today’s post, we are looking at some of the effects that food has on an individual whilst grieving and share a very simple food recipe to follow. The loss of a loved one does only affect us emotionally, but it can also physically affect us in many ways. There are many articles exploring the way that grief can affect you financially, your family units, and your mental wellbeing but not so many people talk - [Widowed Parents' Challenges With Bereaved Children](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/widowed-parents-with-bereaved-children/): As you may know, grief is difficult and can be very tumultuous due to the nature of loss that may bring about an array of different emotions. Helping a bereaved child navigate grief when you are a widowed parent poses many challenges One thing, in my opinion, about grief is that the age at which you experience loss determines how you deal with it. There isn’t a right or wrong way to grieve, but I think children and adults will deal with the loss differently.  How a child deals with the loss of a parent will differ from an adult. - [A Widowed Parent's Guide To Re-building A Social Life](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/widowed-parents-social-life/): The loss of a spouse has a cascading effect on every area of life, and re-establishing a social life as a widowed parent can be challenging. We have written a number of blog posts on how to cope with grief in its many phases and managing the secondary losses related to the death of a loved one.  In this post, we begin to explore the social aspects of widowed parenting. We touched on this last week, but we can begin to see some of the challenges that widowed parents may face as they embark on re-entering life.  To give context - [A Widowed Parent's Guide to Finances](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/widowed-parents-guide-to-finances/): As if the grief, anxiety, and soul-shaking pain weren’t enough? Being a widowed parent and coping with finances. The heart-wrenching reality of planning your loved one’s funeral and managing all the financial burdens comes to light. Losing a spouse is devastating and alters the family dynamic significantly.  An emotionally available parent/caregiver is required to help facilitate the re-adjustment to life with one parent. This is easier said than done, as there is normally a persistence of depressive and grief symptoms among widowed parents over the first two years following bereavement.  This makes it difficult for the family dynamic to adapt - [Delayed Grief: Grieving The Loss Of My Father Years After He Passed Away.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/delayed-grief-grieving-the-loss-of-my-father/): I have finally mustered up the courage to write about my father. When I was asked to share my story, I found it difficult to put pen to paper because thirteen years after his passing, it still hurt deeply. My reaction to his loss was delayed, I didn’t seem to grieve initially after the loss.  I wish my dad didn’t die! Kaylah Losing My Dad My dad meant so much to me. He was my father, and not just my guy but the great Commander Christopher Abiodun Oniwo of the Nigerian Navy. He was a man for the people, a - [Coping with Father’s Day Grief – A Reflective Pos](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/coping-with-fathers-day-grief/): If you’ve lost a loved one, there are certain anniversaries and holidays that can certainly trigger painful memories, most especially if you’ve lost a parent.  On Sunday 19th June 2022 the world came together to celebrate Father’s Day, and if you’ve lost a father or someone you consider to be a strong father figure in your life – this yearly celebration can further reinforce your grief and loss. No matter where you go, it’s almost as if there is a constant reminder of the celebration – whether it’s through emails, social media, television, adverts, or shopping malls – and they’re - [Can Grief Cause Brain Fog?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/can-grief-cause-brain-fog/): I can’t think, I can’t concentrate, I can’t remember. It’s feels like baby brain, but without the baby of course! I can no longer juggle my everyday tasks. It felt like my world was falling apart. I am a teacher with a class of 30 children, while I am having over 50 emails to reply to, parents to speak to and staff to manage. I felt overwhelmed, foggy, where do I begin? I just couldn’t cope, I just wanted to hide away from the world. What is brain fog? I never knew losing a loved one wouldcould feel like this. - [Playlist for Loss, Grief & Bereavement](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/loss-grief-bereavement-playlist/): When my husband died 3.5 years ago, I became a widow at 31 years old. I found life tasteless. I didn’t find joy in anything, I left all forms of social media and couldnt consume any content. It felt like everything was pointless. Minutes turned into hours and then days, I was in survival mode, I had just about enough energy for the day and wanted to lock myself away in a bubble. As cosy as my bubble may sound, it may have come to your mind that the cocoon I was living in, couldn’t last forever. And sure enough - [Grief In The Public Eye ](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-in-the-public-eye/): Grief affects us in so many different ways and some of us may even find ourselves grieving for people who we may not have known personally.  I ponder on this and often wonder whether it is possible to shed a tear or feel some sort of sadness for someone you did not know.  In short, I would say yes! I feel as though that there is this unwritten rule that frowns upon people who mourn celebrity deaths or public figures. It is always the same rebuttal with those who adhere to this “rule”: they didn’t know you and you didn’t - [Anticipatory Grief: How To Support A Loved One With A Terminal Illness?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/anticipatory-grief-support-a-loved-one-with-a-terminal-illness/): When an individual is faced with a terminal illness, you as a loved one or friend may experience what is called anticipatory grief. How could you support a family member or friend bereaved by a terminal illness? How do you support a loved one who’s terminally ill? A terminal illness, also known as an end-stage disease is a condition which cannot be cured or effectively treated and is usually expected to result in the person’s death. Examples of illnesses that may be terminal include: What is anticipatory grief? Most people expect to experience grief after the death of a loved - [How I Dealt With Grief's Impact On My Mental Health.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-impact-on-my-mental-health/): In this post, I’ll like to share my experience of dealing with the mental health effects of grief. Once upon a time, mental health and grief were things I would never imagine I would experience.  Well, let me rephrase because I guess you can’t really experience mental health. It is more of a mental health-related issue that one can face. We all have mental health and one goal: is to look after it.  I had never really thought I would need to constantly focus on my mental well-being until I lost my parents. Grief, which I think is fair to - [How Does Grief Impact One’s Mental Health?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-mental-health/): When you think about mental health, what is the first thought that comes to mind? I come from a West African background where I grew up believing that having mental health challenges or illnesses was what was depicted in the Nigerian movies, where the person would lose their mind, lose their words and act expressively strange.  What picture comes to mind when you hear the words ‘mental health’?  It may be that the picture that comes to mind is of mental illness as I have earlier described, of your own experience, or that of someone close. What is mental health?  - [5 Resources for Coping with Grief ](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/coping-with-loss-and-grief-resources/): In coping with your loss and grief, what resources have you found helpful? A few weeks after my husband had passed, l remembered the flood of messages still coming through. As people gave their heartfelt condolences, I would acknowledge them, but every emotion l felt was foreign deep inside. I asked myself over and over again, how does this happen? Will l make it through today? Or Tomorrow? Or this week? Amid all these messages of condolences, l couldn’t see anyone that looked like me, anyone that could understand a bit of the pain l felt. I couldn’t see a - [Grief and Comparison – Is one type of grief worse than another?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-comparison/): Grief had always been a foreign concept to me. I knew people who had lost a loved one but I could never relate so it felt like it was something I didn’t have to worry about. This was far from the case in 2014 and the following year. Grief was no longer something I did not understand, it became something I felt and had to navigate through. Losing both parents, a year apart wasn’t the kind of grief I wanted to experience in my early 20s. If I am being honest, and I had my own way, I wouldn’t want - [Survival Guide to Dealing With The Loss of a Parent](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/loss-of-a-parent-guide/): Here is a surviving guide to dealing with the loss of a parent – a guide that explains the emotions that may accompany the loss, and offers tips and advice on navigating through the loss of a parent. Generally, we expect that our parents will pass away before we do. However, that does not prepare people for dealing with the loss of their parents or eliminate how painful the process can be. It often leaves bereaved children and adults bewildered.  The bond and love shared between a parent and a child is one of the most significant forms of human - [Intimate Prayers for Grief and Loss](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/intimate-prayers-for-grief-loss/):  What are some things you could pray for when grieving? During a time of deep sadness and grief, how could one pray for comfort and strength?  In the wake of losing my wife, my spiritual practices and disciplines were disrupted. Prayer was no exception among others. I knew about grief but had never experienced the depth of the disruption that grief brought to my spiritual practices and my faith in God. It was a big deal to me because faith is a core part of who I am and what I do. Most of my adult life has been spent in the - [Parental Loss: Where Will I Find Parental Figures?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/parental-figures-after-loss/): How do you find parental figures in your life after losing a parent (s)? This month we have touched on some aspects of the loss of a parent(s). While we haven’t touched on everything, we have focused on some of the aspects which seem to be important.  Parental figures are key players in a person’s life, as parents (s) are expected to provide a range of emotional support to their children up until their adult years. Therefore parents or parental figures are a critical resource for their sons and daughters at all stages of life. The grief experienced at any - [5 Tips for Coping with The Loss of a Parent(s)](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/tips-for-coping-with-the-loss-of-a-parents/): I recently watched the first episode of Kanye West (Ye)‘s documentary, Jeen-Yuhs. I am a fan of his work, especially when he first debuted as a rapper. And, as a fan, l knew that he had lost his mum, which had been tough for him.  But watching the last few minutes of episode 1 had me in tears as l realised the extent of how tough it was. Ye didn’t just lose his mum.  He lost his best friend, his confidant, cheerleader and the one person who understood him (in my opinion). He was 30 years old, and while he - [My Struggle with Faith After Losing My Child](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/losing-my-child/): I once read this saying by Benjamin Franklin: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Everyone on this earth will die at some point, whether we like it or not. However, many people like to talk about death or dealing with loss. It is usually only when we are faced with the loss of a loved one or an emotional loss that we begin to look for answers. Grief wasn’t a word that existed in my dictionary until tragedy struck. Life was good, in my opinion. Two days before Christmas in 2018, I - [Coping with Loss: Bible Verses About Grief](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/bible-verses-about-grief-loss-bereavement/): Being born and dying are transitions into this world and out of it.  A transition I have experienced first hand during the birth of my three children. I have experienced the way a child begins to grow from conception, to finally making their escape from the womb. Making that transition from womb to world.  It is such a surreal experience. So spiritual, I remember how my pregnancies had left me in a state of awe at how intentional and amazing God is, to create such a process and a portal through me to bring life into this world.  I remember - [What Is Your Faith Response To The Loss Of A Loved One?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/loss-and-faith/): So far on the series on how grief impacts one’s faith after the loss of a loved one, we have asked what grief and loss may likely be teaching us about God and  how faith can help. Grief impacts the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, financial and mental dimensions of one’s life. What I am about to share with you will highlight my journey through grief and loss from the lens of my faith. Grief affects everyone differently, and our faith reaction to losing a loved one also varies. My late wife, Chidinma and I lived our lives based on Christian - [Coping with the Death of Both My Parents.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/death-of-both-parents/): My world was turned upside down when I lost my parents a year after each other.  I’m Jermaine, and a 31-year-old navigating through the challenges that come my way. Life as I knew it changed in 2014 and 2015. My dad died in 2014, and my mum passed away in October the following year. This felt so surreal, like some test from God. What could God possibly try to teach me with two losses a year after each other? Your guess is as good as mine!  The truth is I may never know, or I will get some realisation at - [Is Grief Teaching Us Anything About God?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/is-grief-teaching-us-anything-about-god/): My aunt decided to tell me a story to bring a smile to my face. She said there was once a woman who unfortunately lost all her children in an accident. Her Pastor went to visit her, as a means to comfort her. He opened his bible to the book of Job. He proceeded to tell her that even Job went through something similar.  Her response was simple “Pastor, Job is a bible story. This is real life.”  I am not sure how the story ended, but I remember laughing because I truly felt this woman’s opinion.  A few days - [Coping with Grief in the New Year](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/coping-with-grief-new-year/): Grief and the New Year A loved one’s death changes the way we view New Year. As your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues celebrate and make resolutions for the new year, you may start to feel more alone than ever. There is a nostalgia that comes with grieving and the passing of time, and there is nothing more poignant than the beginning of a new year. Living each day as it comes can be difficult when we are grieving. It can sometimes be daunting to look ahead to a whole new year, especially one or another one without your loved one. - [My reflection on a pandemic loss - a year later](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/reflection-on-a-pandemic-loss/):   This story was hard for me to write because I struggled to put my thoughts into words. Hopefully, as I start writing, things will begin to make more sense. I will begin my story with my aunt passing  away from Covid-19  in 2020. Since my pre-teen years, my aunt lived with me and my family temporarily until she could get back on her feet and find her own housing. We would go to church together and I remember being there when she was getting married. She had been battling Parkinson’s disease for at least a decade before her demise. - [Parental Loss - Reflections on My Dad's Death](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/reflections-on-dad-s-death/): Dad promised to come and see me, but he never did. This will probably be one of my most poignant posts, but it has been a long time coming. Finally, after sharing my story and the tough lessons learned with a few people, who were so encouraged, I was reminded that it was time. I’m blessed with the very best family who loves God wholeheartedly. I tell people my mum married the best man on earth who loved her so much, he always wanted to be by her side at every moment. They cooked together, watched TV together, prayed together, - [Parental Loss - Tribute to my Mum](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/tribute-to-my-mum/): Why do we fight to live and not fight for death? When someone we care about dies, we cry. Someone we care about lives we celebrate. Why is this? Often we desperately want to live and love, but who or what decides this? These questions have been bugging me since my mum’s health drastically deteriorated. Life is a beautiful creation. Look at everyone so unique and divinely created. Yet, we fight and hate each other for what? We sin against the Divine made in each other rather than love and cherish the Divine of each other, as God asks of - [My Reflections on my Mother's death](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/reflections-on-my-mother-s-death/): Our guest Adewunmi MakaIn this week’s post, our guest shares her deep reflection about her mother’s death, how her brother’s recent picture messages about their mum brought back mixed emotions for her, and also how she dealt with those emotions. I received some pictures from my younger brother a few weeks ago, and boy, did we go down memory lane! They were pictures of mum. The images of us as a family radiated and showed the beauty of us all, especially my mum. 21 years ago, my mum died. I was 9, and although I was young, I remember the - [Should You Accept Support from Your Family and Friends When Grieving?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/family-and-friends-support-when-grieving/): Family and friends' social support was a massive help to me during my transition into widowed parenting. What do you do when you have internal raging conflicts? - [A Personal Journey of Grief and Growth: How I've Found New Meaning in Life](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/personal-journey-of-grief-and-growth/): I now fully understand the importance of living an impactful life even though everything can change in an instance. Grief is a subject I’m familiar with, having lost a brother at a young age, my husband, and my mum.  My husband Leslie and I got married in 2009. Our marriage was blessed with two boys and a girl. Our daughter was eight weeks old when my life took a 180-degree turn and on a cool Tuesday night.  Leslie had become more committed to his Christian faith and enjoyed attending the mid-week worship experience at our local church and wouldn’t miss - [Coping With the Loss of My Stepdad](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/coping-with-the-loss-of-my-stepdad/): In this post, you’ll learn how learned to cope with the loss of my awesome stepdad, how I built resilience that led to forgiving her abusive biological dad, and how my widowed mum through her grief sacrificially helped us adjust to life after loss. I can remember to a great depth, painful memories, where my mum suffered abuse at the hands of my biological dad. My siblings and I witnessed it as early as I was five years old. At 11 years old, my mum had to seek a safe house for herself and her four children, separating from my - [Grief, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-burnout-and-compassion-fatigue/):   Are you coping with grief as a family member or friend of a bereaved person? Usually, when we think of grief and burnout, we think of the bereaved person, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, we often forget about the impact of grief on those supporting bereaved families or friends. They also experience compassion fatigue. In this post, I’d like to raise awareness of what grief, burnout, and compassion fatigue look like for those supporting their bereaved family or friends. And how to identify and care for yourself if you have reached the point of grief burnout. - [My Experience Of Becoming A Widowed Parent At A Young Age](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/widowed-parent-at-a-young-age/): I married my best friend, he was the love of my life, I had known him for over 20 years. We got married on the 3rd of October 2015 a day I will never forget. A day filled with love, laughter, food, and music. The day I married the love of my life. He was the ‘pounded yam to ogbono.‘ He was the most caring, thoughtful, and God-fearing man. He would do anything for anyone. I loved how much he loved God. His family meant the world to him and there wasn’t anything he would not do for Hezekiah and - [How Does the Rainbow Relate to Life After Losing a Loved One?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/coping-with-grief-rainbow-memories/): My desire with today’s post is to bring a ray of hope to anyone who’s mourning or grieving the death of their loved one by throwing light into another part of the grieving process on rainbows and coping with the grief and loss of a loved one. I want to tell you a personal story about rainbows before I further discuss what a rainbow has to do with the grief and loss of a loved one. In the many conversations Chidinma and I had about the things that we like, one that stood out was her love and fascination with - [How To Tell Children About the Death of a Loved One](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/telling-children-about-a-loved-ones-death/): “Daddy died” were the words I uttered to my eight-year-old, three-year-old, and 11-month-old. I watched their puzzled faces process those words and viewed an innocent jovial demeanour turn to wails of despair. I will never forget the moment. It is forever etched in my mind.  “Daddy died”, let me unpack that. My husband of 10 years was involved in a fatal car accident. While I was asleep, he was taking his final breaths. Oh, the fragility of this life. On the 31st of August 2018, this happened. Although time has passed, reliving those moments pull and tug so tightly on - [My Introduction to Widowed Parenthood](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/my-introduction-to-widowed-parenthood/): Grief is multidimensional and has a unique way of leaving its fingerprint on every area of one’s life. I had earlier written about the ripple effects that a loved one’s death brings, known as secondary losses. I’d like to share one dimension of grief in this post about my ongoing journey as a widowed parent. Chidinma and I were parents to a toddler (two years) and a baby (five months) when she died. I’ll like to give you a brief insight of what life was like as parents before diving into what life as a widowed parent currently looks like - [Is There a Good Way to Wish a Bereaved Person a Happy Birthday?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/is-there-a-good-way-to-wish-a-bereaved-person-a-happy-birthday/): We generally rejoice when someone’s birthday comes around, especially if it’s someone we know. There’s an expectation that the person should be happy and grateful for being alive to mark another birth anniversary. Most people, including myself, will send a ‘happy birthday’ message, prayer, and sometimes a gift during this period. How do we wish a bereaved person a happy birthday? A birthday can hit during a difficult time in a person’s life. The difficult period could be the death of a loved one. It’s even more painful for some bereaved people whose loved ones died on their birthday, in - [Grief and Gender: Is Men's Grieving Style Different from Women's](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grieving-style-male-vs-female-grief/): In this post about grief and masculinity, I share my struggle with my grieving style as I learn to adjust my pattern of grieving to help me cope with the loss of my loved one. Sometimes I wrestle with how to deal with grief as a man. There are moments when I am coaching myself out of grief. During these moments, I hear echoes of words such as “Be a man”, “Handle this grief like a grown-up”, “are you not a man?”, “Why are you grieving like a woman” in my head. I would verbalise my thoughts and ask myself, - [Grief and The Guilt of Feeling Happy](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-guilt-of-feeling-happy/):   The death of my loved one had plunged me into depths of sorrow that I never believed to exist. There were daily waves of sad emotions that barged my mind and heart. I didn’t know that I would plunge further in guilt and grief for the little bursts of happiness that I experienced. I prepared as best as I could daily for the surprise cocktail of emotions that overwhelmed me. Like one who knew about an impending attack but was unsure which direction and time the attack was scheduled to happen. When a loved one dies, it’s as if - [When Grieving, Can Isolation Lead to Solitude?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-isolation-and-solitude/):   The sense of missing someone you love comes with this overwhelming awareness of all you have lost.  Loneliness in grief is not by choice. The cure for loneliness is solitude. If this is true, what is solitude and how can you transform isolation to solitude? I’d have given anything to be together with my loved one again. I wish we could see each other again if only for a brief period, to relieve the loneliness and be reassured that my loved one is still part of my life. The death of a loved one can lead to loneliness. I - [Grief and Isolation: Why do Grieving People Prefer Isolation?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-isolation/):   This theme of loneliness and isolation has been a regular part of my grief journey. I had written about what does loneliness feel like when grieving? In this post, I intend to share how it has morphed and how I am learning to cope with grief isolation. I had heard that it’s possible to be amid people who love you dearly and still be lonely. I never knew what it truly felt like until the death of my loved one. People surrounded me, but I still felt lonely and wanted to be by myself. It has been difficult for - [How I'm Learning to Recognise and Cope with Grief Triggers.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-triggers/):  In the previous post about coping with grief attacks, I mentioned that the starting point of the grief journey is acute grief. Looking back now, I can share that the priority for this phase of the grief journey is surviving. This post explores types of grief triggers, how to identify and cope with them. During this first leg of grief, I’ve found the key to navigating through it is to express and accept all the strong emotions that arise. I found ‘everything and anything’ triggered my grief. My grief response was a strong cocktail mix, including anxiety, envy, sleeplessness, guilt, - [Coping with Grief Attacks](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/coping-with-grief-attacks/):   One pattern of grief that I wished someone had told me about is grief attacks. You may be hearing this term grief attack for the first time, and it’s okay if you are. So that you can understand what I mean by grief attack, I feel it’s essential to take you through phases of the grief journey. We know a journey is an act of travelling or a passage from one place to another; every journey has a starting point. So what is the starting point of grief called? It is often said that there are various stages of - [Is Time Really Able to Heal All Wounds?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/time-heals-all-wounds-does-it/):  One phrase I heard a lot in the early days following the death of my loved one when my pain was raw was this phrase, “time heals all wounds” or other variations like, “give it time“, “it will get better with time,” “time is a healer” etc. I know most people had the best intentions. However, the phrase sounded stinging and uncaring. I asked in my head; “so how long will it take for this wound to heal?”, “What does healing from this wound look like?“, “Can someone give me an estimate, so that I know how long I need - [My First Visit to My Wife's Grave After Her Funeral](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/visiting-loved-ones-grave/):  I had never truly understood why people visit the graves of their loved ones. I suppose it’s one of those things you never truly know understand until it happens to you. I had always had this idea drawn by my limited knowledge of the bible that once a loved one has been buried, there’s really no need to visit their burial place. Why do we visit loved one’s graves? Is visiting the grave of a loved one an essential part of the grieving process? I always thought about that part in the bible when an angel appeared to Mary on - [Dealing with Grief: Frozen Moments and Memories of Loved One](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/dealing-with-grief-frozen-memories/):   We continue exploring the grieving experience and how to cope with grief from the perspective of friends and family, as Uche Iloka, shares on frozen memories.. It was the 13th of December 2000, and a rollercoaster of events scurried out of control and rocked my world. The day before, Emeka, my brother, had returned from the University for the Christmas holidays. We had a fun time listening to the latest music of the day. We laughed and talked into the Wednesday night, bartering university stories of the semester we just concluded. Soon before we ended up for the evening, - [Grieving the Death of a Friend: Tomorrow is Never Promised](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grieving-the-death-of-a-friend/): What I’ve been wondering about is how our friends and families are coping with their grief. We continue exploring the grief experience and coping with grief through the perspective of family and friends in this week’s post where Sarah, Chidinma’s close friend, shares a glimpse into her own grief journey. 30th Of March 2020 started like most days really, although I was heavy in spirit, I remained hopeful because I believed if there was anyone who could pull out a last hurrah it would be Chidinma. You see, Chidinma was not your average woman, she was exceptionally strong and brave. - [Grief and Good News](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-good-news/):  The first person with whom I normally share my good news has passed away. Not being able to share my good news with Chidinma made my grief that much greater. Chidinma’s death has caused big ripples in several lives, and I am not the only one who is affected. Family and friends have also been affected by her death. Grief affects people differently, and you have been following my grief journey. However, in this week’s blog, Grace, who Chidinma and I affectionately refer to as our firstborn, shares with us a glimpse of her grieving process and how she is - [How Do Friends and Family Grieve The Death of Their Loved One?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/how-do-friends-and-family-grieve/):  Hey Friend, what have you done with your grief after your friend died? What is the process of grieving for friends and families after a loved one dies? in what ways have you mourned your loved ones death? How do family and friends grieve the loss of their loved ones? I have so far mainly focused on the bereaved, also known as either the primary mourner or main bereaved person. I have spent some time sharing my thoughts and emotions from the perspective of the bereaved with the hope my journey encourages and gives permission to anyone grieving the loss - [Why Do We Stop Supporting Someone Grieving After a Funeral?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/support-someone-grieving-after-funeral/): Is there anything we can do to help us continue to help someone grieving? In this post, I share my thoughts and offer suggestions on reaching out to someone grieving after the funeral of their loved one. I had earlier written on How Do You Reach Out to Someone Grieving in the First Few Weeks of Mourning? Where I took you on a journey through the first few weeks following the death of my spouse, Chidinma. I focused on the phone calls and offered some suggestions that you may find helpful when reaching out to someone mourning the death of - [Dealing with Unresolved Grief.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/dealing-with-unresolved-grief/): In this post about unresolved grief, I highlight how the death of my loved one exposed other incomplete griefs Grief is multilayered. It affects more areas than one can imagine. I now know that grief is not limited to the primary loss alone, which is the death of a loved one, and includes secondary losses. What I didn’t know, which I am currently learning, is that the death of a loved one also unearths incomplete griefs and forgotten losses. What is unresolved grief? Unresolved grief is an experience of being “incomplete” with a loss. Each week unearthed other griefs and - [Collective Grief: Why We Mourn For People We May Not Personally Know.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/collective-grief-and-coping-strategy/):  So what is collective grief? Why do grieve and mourn when someone we don’t know, especially when someone famous dies? How to cope with community grief? We took the featured picture 5 hours leading to the start of a new decade. The year 2020. Can you remember where you were and what you were doing 5 hours before the new year? Chidinma and I were filled with excitement. As a family, we had spent some time eating, playing, in prayers, and passionately discussing what we hoped to see and achieve in the new decade. We celebrated crossing over into the - [Chidinma's Funeral: The Day my Spouse was Buried.](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/funeral-day-of-loved-one/): In this post about my wife’s funeral, I describe my feelings and recount how I coped with one of the most difficult days I have ever experienced, the day my loved one’s body was laid to rest. I also highlight what the funeral in the time of coronavirus feels like. As I journey through the grieving process, I have found writing about the death of my loved one, Chidinma, and how I am learning to cope with grief is contributing to my grief healing. I have found some topics easier to write, and some have proven challenging. Almost like when - [How Can We Better Communicate Compassionately With A Grieving Friend?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/struggling-to-communicate-with-grieving-friend/):   What do you do when you hear that someone you know has lost a loved one? what is your default response to this kind of news? Do you tend to hide, under-communicate with your newly bereaved friend or family member? This post will equip you with the skills and tools to overcome the ‘fight’, ‘flight’, or ‘freeze response’ when communicating with your grieving friend or family member. When we ask, “How are you?” Do we really mean it? Before we dive further, I am really interested in knowing how you are, “how has your week been so far?” and - [Feelings of Grief: How to Express Your Emotions Through Words](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/accept-feelings-express-grief-with-words/):   Why is suppressing grief bad? What stops us from accepting our feelings and expressing our grief? Can we learn to accept our feelings and express your emotions better? We all have experienced a loss at some point in our lives, but the feeling is more intense when we lose a loved one, which triggers the natural response of grief. I hope that by the time you finish reading this post, you have some knowledge and confidence on how to accept your feelings and express your grief. Even though I have written this post for anyone bereaved, I hope that - [The first weeks after a loss: how to reach out and support someone grieving](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/how-to-reach-out-to-someone-grieving/): I hope this post serves as a guide to help on how to reach out and support someone who is grieving the death of their loved one, especially in the first few weeks after their loss. To do this, I would like to take you on a journey through the first few weeks following the death of my spouse. I will focus on the phone calls and offer some suggestions that you may find useful when reaching out to someone mourning the death of a loved one. I hope this post serves as a framework to help when next you - [Grieving Process: Why Expressing Your Grief Is Essential](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/why-expressing-your-grief-is-essential-to-your-healing-journey/): Why is expressing grief after a loved one’s death an essential part of the grieving process?  Do you suffer consequences for not expressing your grief? How do you express your feelings? What are some of the barriers to expressing our emotions during grieving? The death of a loved one causes us great grief and leads us into a state of lethargy that we never believe we can recover from. This state is completely normal after a loss, and everyone mourns in their unique way. This post will highlight why you should express your grief when mourning and grieving the death - [When A Loved One Dies, Does It Matter How They Died?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/does-it-matter-how-a-loved-one-died/): Does it matter how a loved one died? We often ask someone grieving about the cause of their loved one’s death, but why is this? What effect does asking about the cause of the death of a loved one have on the way you support a grieving friend or family member?  What I intend to share with you in this post is perhaps among the many things I found intensely irritating, especially the early months following my spouse’s death. I remember feeling irritated when someone I wouldn’t consider close asked how my spouse, Chidinma, died. I also remember earnestly wanting - [Tribute Video: One year anniversary of Chidinma Olajide's death](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/death-anniversary-remembering-chidinma/): It’s been a year since the death of my wife, Chidinma. While it has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I am sharing this post to invite you into the intimate way I chose to remember Chidinma on her death anniversary. I am truly grateful to God and everyone who has supported me during this grieving process. I felt emotions like I could never have imagined, but I also experienced love and kindness as I could never have possibly imagined. I wish Chidinma was still here. I can’t believe it has been over a year I last heard her voice. There’s - [How Do I Accept the Reality of My Loved One’s Death?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/how-to-accept-death-of-loved-one/): Grieving the loss of a loved one is an active process that we must engage with so that our healing journey can truly begin. It begins with accepting the reality of our loved one’s death. Accepting the reality of death is complex, and the pain of grief is unbearable. To begin the grief healing journey, one must learn to accept the reality of the loss. After a loved one’s death, most people feel a sense of shock or disbelief in the reality of what has happened. Our minds get filled with unending thoughts. Still, the one that tops the list - [Sleeplessness and Grief: Coping with Insomnia When Grieving](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/sleeplessness-and-grief/): Does grief affect sleep? Sleeplessness or over-sleeping is one of the physical symptoms of grief. The thought of my loved one kept me awake, in this post I will be sharing my struggles and tips for coping with insomnia in grief. An African proverb says that: “Until a frog jumps into boiling water, it does not know that there are two worlds.” Before the death of my wife, Chidinma, I erroneously believed that grief is just one emotion like many people. But what I’m finding out through my grief journey is that grief is an intense, multi-layered and sometimes uncontrollable - [How Has Music Affected My Grieving Process?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/music-to-cope-with-grief/): There is something deeply emotional about music. We can experience our emotions through music, accept them and discover them fully. It has the power to unlock the mind, make connections with the heart, and shed light into the darkest places. Music is one of the many coping mechanisms I have found as another support as I journey through the grieving process. I have found it an excellent way to deal with my grief. Music has always been an integral part of humanity and has developed over the years. To many, it’s indispensable. We listen to it when we wake up, when - [Identifying & Grieving My Secondary Losses](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/secondary-losses-in-grief/): There can be many secondary losses following the death of our loved ones, and we must identify the many secondary losses and grieve each one. We naturally think of grief only as death-oriented, solely the grief of losing our spouses or someone we deeply care for. Our grief is also the pain of the other losses we encounter because of our loved ones’ death. These losses are secondary results of the primary loss. In the weeks that followed Chidinma’s death, I stumbled across some resources which helped me identify my secondary losses. I will take you on a journey through - [The funeral I planned for my wife during Covid-19 Lockdown](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/planning-my-wife-s-funeral-covid-19/): Planning the funeral of my spouse in my experience has also been one of the most difficult undertakings that one can do. Her death was so sudden and it rocked the foundations of my world. in this post I share the steps I took towards planning a befitting funeral for my loved one. I imagine that every young couple on a new parenting journey will primarily think about planning for the good things that life has to offer such as holidays, finances, family, house move, etc. Planning maybe three to five years into the future, but planning the funeral of - [How Other Bereaved People Helped Me Process My Grief](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/bereavement-support-from-bereaved-people/): One of the coping mechanisms that have proved highly beneficial to me is talking with other bereaved people in a safe space where I can express my thoughts and emotions unfiltered. They somehow get what I am about to say. My network of friends and relatives had never experienced the death of a spouse at a young age and were doing the best that they could to support me in every way they knew how. With no fault of theirs, I found that there were many questions and thoughts in my mind that I struggled to ask or share with - [5 Unhelpful Things To Say To Someone Grieving](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/5-unhelpful-things-to-say-to-someone-grieving/): Because we are working with a script of cliches, we may accidentally say things that will be unhelpful or hurtful to someone grieving the loss of a loved one. I will describe in this post five unhelpful things that were said to me while I was grieving, which I would not recommend being said to anyone in grief. Death is so unpredictable, but one thing is sure: at some stage in our lives, we all experience its effects. Here are five unhelpful things people have said to me as I grieved the death of my spouse, Chidinma. I hope this - [When Grieving, What Does Progress Look Like?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/progress-when-grieving/): We have different ideas of what grieving or progress in grief should look, feel and sound like and we sometimes put higher pressure on ourselves when the reality of our grief experience doesn’t match up with the imagined. Progress can be big or small. I am finding that celebrating the small wins contributes significantly towards healing. What I intend to share with you in this post is what I have found progress to mean, which I hope in turn helps you to identify your progress on the grief healing journey What is the expectation that we have before grief? Or - [4 traits I noticed in those who comforted and supported me](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/4-wonderful-traits-supporting-grieving-spouse/): In the aftermath of the death of a loved one, friends and families are often unsure of what to say, how to comfort or provide the needed support to the grieving person or family. My goal in this post is to share what I observed as the top 4 qualities of those who gave me the comfort and support I needed during my grief over the loss of my wife, Chidinma. I always imagine the many questions in the heart of our friends. I am certain that “how do you support a grieving friend after the loss of a spouse” - [How Do You Cope With Fear and Anxiety When They Become Real?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-related-fear-and-anxiety/): Can the death of a loved one cause anxiety? What do you do when your fear and anxiety become reality after the loss of a loved one or in my case, the death of a spouse? Is it normal to be fearful after the loss of a loved one? Can the death of a loved one cause anxiety? From my experience I believe that the changes to our day-to-day lives that accompany the death of a loved one as in my case, the death of a spouse drive us into a helpless state, causing us to be fearful and anxious in - [How I learned to cope with grief by fixing broken things](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/cope-with-grief-fixing-things/): I fell deeper into my grief each I heard that some things had broken or stopped working. Can one cope with grief by attempting to fix or mend broken things? Are there any correlations between helpless attempts to fix broken things and the death of a loved one?  Why am I struggling to fully accept some help that is being offered to me? Most especially from my family who were staying with me? Why do I feel ashamed or have these weird feelings of nakedness? Why does this happen each time someone steps in to help with things that I - [Dealing With Guilt & Grief: What Ifs and If Only](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/dealing-with-guilt-and-grief/): Retrospect can be harshly punishing. A major part of my grieving process was dealing with guilt. I learned these lessons from a pen-pal that helped me cope with grief-related guilt. It is important to be intentional when dealing with grief and loss. In this post, I discuss how I dealt with my grief-related guilt. I wouldn’t consider myself as someone who enjoyed writing, my family members can testify that I often prefer speaking to writing. Chidinma and I would often decide the following year in November and make adequate preparations for the goals we set. 2020 was a year when we - [My Struggle With Guilt in Grief:](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/grief-and-guilt-feelings/): Things I wished I did differently, more or better Dealing with grief opened my eyes to a range of emotions. One of them was immense and intense guilt feelings. Here’s my experience of dealing with guilt. One thing I’ve learned about grief is that it cannot be rushed. Your feelings and emotions cannot be bottled in…at least for long. The storm needs to rage. The hurt needs to be expressed. As the author, John Green, wrote, “That’s the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.” Just like when you hit your big toe against a stone or when you - [What Does Loneliness Feel Like When Grieving?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/emotions-of-grief-loneliness/):   We face the feelings of loneliness at various stages of our lives. One of the most universal emotions is loneliness. I wasn’t surprised that I was going to be lonely when my wife, Chidinma died. What I wasn’t prepared for was how long and intense the loneliness of grieving was. What is loneliness? It is ‘having what you don’t want or wanting what you don’t have.’ What I find as loneliness is the absence of Chidinma’s presence. I remember our wedding vows. “…………to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse. For richer, for poorer, - [Grieving A Loved One: Why do I envy other people?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/is-envy-possible-while-grieving/):   What I want to share with you is a topic that rarely sees the light of day, it is a very real but forgotten and unexpressed aspect of grief – envy. I found the unexpressed aspect, dark side of grief – envy the most surprising as I didn’t expect it at all. Often when you hear about someone mourning and grieving; you tend to hear of the common emotional reactions to grief such as anger, guilt, fear, anxiety, and loneliness. Sometimes I would go for my usual 2 hours non stop walk twice a day hoping that it would - [Can One escape anxiety during the grieving process?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/escape-anxiety-while-grieving/): As a young widower, I couldn’t escape from the pangs of anxiety. I would panic whenever our children cried, or something didn’t look right. Fear and anxiety are real when grieving.  I have been one of the many voices that have encouraged people about the need to not be afraid, to stare down fear because fear means False Evidence Appearing Real. I’ve had numerous conversations highlighting that the only thing real is to have faith, even one that is as tiny as the mustard seed. I have had several opportunities to speak publicly on the topic of fear and advice - [My Experience of Grief and its Physical Expressions](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/physical-expressions-of-grief/): How does grief express itself physically? how do we respond physically? what does grief physically do to your body? And what are the common physical symptoms of grief?  When I returned home from the hospital, I was extremely clueless about what to do next. The news about my wife, Chidinma’s unexpected death had reached my siblings who lived quite a distance from us. My brother had just begun a family with their son who was also 4 months at the time, I imagined how they were also learning to adjust to life as new parents. Our youngest sibling, whom we - [Acute Grief: What early response of grieving feel like?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/what-grieving-feel-like/): This post describes my early grieving reaction following the loss of my loved one. I experienced extreme emotional pain during this time, as well as a multitude of physical reactions that I did not anticipate occurring, such as extreme sadness, yearning, and/or searching for my loved one. Now that I have told you about the events leading up to the day that changed the world I knew forever, the day my wife died; I suppose that you’re wondering ………what’s next? Guy, if you remember I told you earlier that I have experienced and am still experiencing some thoughts and emotions - [Grief and Faith: Is It Wrong To Question God When Grieving?](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/why-god/): One of the things I observed was that several people mentioned to me that in moments like this we cannot question God, God does as He pleases, be angry but don’t sin etc….. We see what happened to Job when he was asking God a lot of questions, Job had it worse etc. I was struggling to accept that I couldn’t ask God questions, that I had to be cautious in the ways I asked God questions. God, but Why? It came across to some who I perceived were afraid of the questions I was asking, almost like they saw - [Widowed In Your 30s: My Strange Road To Widowhood](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/being-widowed-and-young/): My wife had just passed away, and the hospital just informed me of her death. Now that I was young and widowed, I wondered what life would be like and if I was going to cope.  I share about my immediate thoughts and things I had to do following the death of my wife in this post. Also, I share what the first few days were like on this strange journey. Grief seems to come in waves. The heavy clouds that have fallen on me as I mourned my spouse have been soul crushing and overwhelming on those difficult days. - [Loss of My Spouse: Taking Selfies with Angels](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/taking-selfies-with-angels/): My story about becoming young and widowed is shared in this post. On the morning my spouse died, I received a call from the hospital. Grief is an all-encompassing emotion – a flurry of conflicting emotions that overwhelms every part of you. In the midst of her pain, Chidinma would attempt her infectious angelic smile which has the power to melt stones, that smile almost always has a way that makes my heart go kedike. On one occasion, she had a full grin which made me ask her to share the inside joke with me. She made a statement which - [Overcome by Fear: Not The Fairytale I Was Promised](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/overcome-by-fear/): Still in fear, what I didn’t know at the time was that I was going to become a widower and these moments were going to be the last I would see my spouse alive. I was extremely overcome by fear. I believed we were going to live happily ever after. Fairy tale movies often suggest that “they lived happily ever after” at least we were living happily and blessed until the 30th March 2020 arrived which was and still is the day the world I knew changed forever. Let’s rewind to the events that led to this day. Anisa is - [The new additions to the family: When Two Became Four](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/then-two-became-four/): Our journey into being a parent. In this post, I share about our transition from being newly married, the conversations we had about parenting, and how we went from a family of two to a family of four. I also share my thoughts on how men could be cared for after the birth of a new baby. During courtship or exclusive dating, we had diverse conversations about the journey ahead and one of them was themed children where we discussed the number of children we hoped to have, what we should do if we didn’t have children by a specific - [Wedding: Starting Our Journey to Forever](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/starting-our-journey-to-forever/): In this post, I give you insight into our wedding proposal and wedding ceremonies. I don’t know any guy who spent most of his time thinking about the day he’s going to propose to his girlfriend even when he knows he’s going to marry the girl. Let me share with you how it happened to me. Chidinma and I had begun our courtship and we knew we were going to get married, but I wasn’t thinking about which day of the month and which events would lead to the proposal; I knew through my ‘guy mind ’ just like how - [Getting Married: How I Met My Wife, Chidinma](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/getting-married/): Before I share about getting married to Chidinma, I will like to share how we met and some conversations we had while planning to journey through life together. Our first stop is on how Chidinma and I met How Did We Meet? Chidinma moved to Coventry when she began her Masters degree at Warwick University, we both attended the same church (Holy Ghost Zone, Coventry); served in different capacities within the church and served together in the worship team. One of the things I remember distinctly about her singing was that almost every song she sang had a ‘classical twist’ ## Pages - [Register-Your-Event](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/register-your-event/): Register Your Event Home Page Subscribe to Our Newsletter Stay informed about our latest resources, events, and stories of hope. Join our community and be part of the journey toward healing and balance. Subscribe Now You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! Something went wrong, please try again. - [Etn Tags](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/etn-tags/) - [Etn Category](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/etn_category/) - [Get Support](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/get-support/): Get Support At Balanced Wheel, we provide both practical information and emotional connection to support you through every stage of grief. From guiding you with resources to offering a space for shared experiences, we’re here to help you find understanding, comfort, and hope. Home Page Informational Support Navigating grief can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our informational bereavement support services include: Articles, guides, and FAQs to walk you through every stage of grief—from what to do when someone dies to coping with loss and adjusting to life afterward. Insights informed by those who have experienced - [Share Story](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/share-story/): Share Your Story Home Page Share Your Story Your Story Matters Stories are a powerful way to connect, heal, and inspire. Everyone has a story to tell, and each one is unique and meaningful. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one or have supported a bereaved friend or family member, we invite you to share your story with us. Your words could offer comfort, guidance, and hope to someone going through a similar experience. Why Share Your Story? To help others feel less alone in their grief. To honour the memory of your loved one. To provide - [Share Your Story](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/share-your-story/): Share Your Story Who we are, our mission, and how we’re here to support you through grief and loss. Share Your Story Your Story Matters Stories are a powerful way to connect, heal, and inspire. Everyone has a story to tell, and each one is unique and meaningful. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one or have supported a bereaved friend or family member, we invite you to share your story with us. Your words could offer comfort, guidance, and hope to someone going through a similar experience. Why Share Your Story? To help others feel less - [Share Your Story-Form](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/share-your-story-form/): Share Your Story Form Home Page Subscribe to Our Newsletter Stay informed about our latest resources, events, and stories of hope. Join our community and be part of the journey toward healing and balance. Subscribe Now You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! 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At Home or With Friends Keep it simple, social, and fun. Host a bake sale, run a quiz night, or organise a games - [Donation Form](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/donation-form/): Donation Form Home Page Subscribe to Our Newsletter Stay informed about our latest resources, events, and stories of hope. Join our community and be part of the journey toward healing and balance. Subscribe Now You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! Something went wrong, please try again. - [Resources](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/resources/): Our Resources Home Page - [Emotional Support](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/emotional-support/): Emotional Support Who we are, our mission, and how we’re here to support you through grief and loss. Home Page Bereavement Support Group Losing a loved one is one of the hardest experiences in life. The emotions can feel overwhelming, and isolation can make grief even heavier. You don’t have to go through it alone. Balanced Wheel’s Bereavement Support Groups provide a safe space where you can. Connect with others who truly understand your grief. Share your experiences in a non-judgmental environment. Receive emotional support and practical coping strategies join a support group Why Join a Support Group? Balanced Wheel - [Information & Resources](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/information-resources/): Information & Resources We understand that grief is deeply personal and that everyone’s journey is different. At Balanced Wheel, we provide a range of resources, stories, and support systems to help you navigate life after loss, cope with grief, and find the balance to rebuild. Home Page Life After Loss Blog & Personal Stories Grief can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Our Life After Loss blog features personal stories and reflections from individuals who have experienced bereavement. They share their memories, struggles, lessons learned, and ways they’ve found hope after loss. Through storytelling, we offer insight, understanding, and guidance - [Sample 2](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/sample-2/): Service Organic food is very popular and good for health these days. Fresh Wheat Food Vegetables Golder Sunflower Fruits Organic Grap Fruits Organic Fresh Whats & Vegetables Nemo enim epsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit seduia consequuntur magni dolores eosratione voluptatem Lorem ipsum is simply free text used by copytyping refreshing. Neque porro est qui dolorem ipsum quia quaed inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Aelltes port lacus quis enim var sed efficitur turpis gilla sed sit amet finibus eros.  Modern Agriculture Equipment Organic and Fresh Harvest of Wheat Lot’s Professional & - [Portfolio](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/portfolio/): Portfolio Charity activities are taken place around the world. Healthy food When nothing prevents our to we like best, every pleasure to be. Kids education When nothing prevents our to we like best, every pleasure to be. Medical care When nothing prevents our to we like best, every pleasure to be. Ace Charity When nothing prevents our to we like best, every pleasure to be. Our Portfolio Some Outstanding Activities All Animals Environmental School Water Poor children education Animals, Water Help the Eco System Environmental, School Clean Water Issues Environmental, School Save Poor Childrens Environmental, Water Child Grief Support School, - [Volunteer](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/volunteer/): Volunteer Home Page Give Your Time, Change a Life Your time and skills can bring comfort and hope to those going through grief. Whether you can dedicate a few hours or commit regularly, every effort counts in ensuring bereaved individuals receive the support they need. Ways to Volunteer: Help with outreach and awareness efforts. Facilitate or support a bereavement group. Provide administrative or tech support. Assist in organizing events and community engagements. Volunteering at Balanced Wheel is a rewarding way to give back, and in turn, you’ll be part of a compassionate community dedicated to making a difference. Sign Up - [Events](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/upcoming-events/): Upcoming Events Charity activities are taken place around the world. Home Page Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Candlelight Community Peace Park, London Candlelight Vigil for Loved Ones A night of remembrance to honor those we’ve lost. Bring a candle and a photo of your loved one. Open June 13, 2025 Attend Grief Support London Grief Support Group Session Join our virtual group therapy session led by a licensed grief counselor. Share stories, receive support, and connect with others. June 9, 2025 Attend Grief Healing Wellness Centre, Birmingham City Grief Healing Workshop (In-person) Practical tools for processing grief. Led by experienced mental - [Donate](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/donate/): Donate Home Page Your Gift is a Lifeline for Someone in the Dark. Here in the UK, millions are navigating the profound impact of bereavement. For many, it can feel like an unending night. Your gift today provides a vital lifeline, helping us deliver free, compassionate grief support to individuals and families when they need it most. Your decision to donate to our bereavement charity in the UK ensures no one has to face the journey of grief alone. Donate Now Donate Make a Secure Donation Choose your gift type: Make a monthly gift, or give a single gift. Your - [Faqs](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/faqs/): Faqs Charity activities are taken place around the world. Asked Questions Have Any Question On Minds! Asked Question Best Organic Food Provider Since 1995 Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernaturs aut odit aut fugit sed quia consequuntur magni dolores Why Choose Our Products ? Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis - [Contact](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/contact/): Contact us Home Page Contact Us Talk to us Tell us about your struggle with grief. info@balancedwheel.co.uk X-twitter Facebook Instagram - [About Balanced Wheel](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/about-balanced-wheel/): About us Who we are, our mission, and how we’re here to support you through grief and loss. Home Page More about the Balanced Wheel The Balanced Wheel Story At Balanced Wheel, we understand that the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges. Grief can feel isolating, overwhelming, and all-consuming. But it doesn’t have to be the end of your story.  We believe that everyone who has experienced loss deserves the opportunity to heal, rebalance, and rebuild their lives. That’s why we’re here—to provide compassionate emotional support and practical tools to help you navigate the - [Home](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/): You are not alone in your grief Get Support to rebuild balance,and rediscover purpose after loss Get Support 6k+Over 6000 lives impacted Welcome to Balanced Wheel Make your journey toward healing and balance Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most difficult challenges. At Balanced Wheel, we provide compassionate support and practical tools to help you heal, rebalance, and thrive. Discover the path to balance Support a loved one grieving Grief isn’t the end of the story—it’s the start of a journey toward strength and renewal Join us in supporting those navigating their most challenging moments. - [Blog](https://balancedwheel.co.uk/blog/): Blog Our blog resources have been written by individuals with personal experience of living after loss. Using storytelling, these individuals share their memories and experiences of dealing with bereavement, grief, and loss; the struggles they face; the lessons they have learned; and the ways they cope. Home Page Subscribe to Our Newsletter Stay informed about our latest resources, events, and stories of hope. Join our community and be part of the journey toward healing and balance. Subscribe Now You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! Something went wrong, please try again. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)