Staying Strong in the Quiet Season of Grief

Nesting, organizing, and finding comfort before winter.

There’s something about late August. The light shifts, the air becomes cooler, and the leaves begin to turn. It’s not quite summer anymore, but it’s not fall yet either. It’s that in-between time—and if you’ve lost someone, you might feel it more deeply than most.

Something shifts within me with every season change, especially with the fall. There’s an instinct to nest, to soften the space around me. But this year, it’s not just about cozy blankets or warm light. It’s about reclaiming ease. I no longer want to walk on eggshells around my sadness or feel like I’m just hanging on.

The house used to feel like a monument to everything I’d lost. Every object, every corner, carried weight. But now, with grief and stress no longer pressing in from every side, I feel something lighter. (Grief and Stress: One Less Layer of Weight) One less layer to carry. And in that space, I can finally see what’s still here—what’s still mine. It’s not a reset. It’s a quiet beginning.

Organizing with Intention

I’ve been going room by room—not to deep clean, but to make things feel more like me. I open drawers and ask: Do I need this? Does it comfort me? Does it still fit the life I’m building? Some things I keep. Some I let go. I’ve stopped feeling guilty about the stuff I no longer want to carry.

Creating Comfort

I made a small corner for writing, with Eddie’s photo nearby. It’s a quiet spot where grief and creativity can sit side by side. I’m not trying to fix grief; I’m just trying to meet it with kindness. As the season shifts, I’m making space—for peace, for memory, and for healing. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about trusting that the quiet won’t break me. It might actually comfort me.

If this season feels heavy for you, and you’re moving through grief, know that you’re not alone in navigating these complex emotions. The shift in seasons can often amplify feelings of loss and sadness, but remember that your feelings are valid, and there’s strength in acknowledging them.🫂