Grief Doesn’t Care How Old You Are

Grief doesn’t check your age before it shows up.

It doesn’t wait until you’re old enough to understand what loss means or young enough to be protected from it. It doesn’t care if you are five, fifteen, or fifty. When something meaningful is lost, grief finds a way into the body, the mind, and the heart.

At Inner Healing Therapy, we see this every day. We see children who suddenly become anxious or clingy after a loss. We see teens who feel angry, numb, or disconnected and do not know why. We see adults who believe they should be “over it” by now, but still carry the ache of what was taken from them.

Grief is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of love.

Grief Is Not Just About Death

Many people think grief only happens when someone dies. In reality, grief happens any time something important is lost. That can include divorce, illness, moving, infertility, miscarriage, trauma, the loss of safety, or even the loss of the future you imagined for yourself.

Children grieve the loss of routine. Teens grieve the loss of belonging. Adults grieve the loss of identity, relationships, or dreams. The loss may look different, but the pain is just as real.

Grief is a nervous system experience, not just an emotional one. When something meaningful is taken away, the body reacts. This is why grief often shows up as anxiety, irritability, exhaustion, trouble sleeping, or feeling emotionally shut down.

How Grief Looks at Different Ages

Children do not always have the words to say “I am grieving.” Instead, they show it through behavior. They may regress, become more emotional, struggle in school, or need extra reassurance. This is not misbehavior. It is a child trying to feel safe again.

Teens often carry grief internally. They may withdraw, become more irritable, lose motivation, or feel disconnected from people they once felt close to. Many teens worry about burdening others with their pain, so they keep it inside.

Adults are often the most unsupported in their grief. Many were taught to be strong, keep going, and not dwell on the past. They may feel ashamed for still hurting months or years later. But grief does not follow a timeline. It follows the attachment.

You do not grow out of grief. You grow with it.

When Grief Is Not Given Space

When grief is ignored or minimized, it does not disappear. It gets stored in the body and can later show up as anxiety, depression, anger, chronic stress, or emotional numbness. This is why some people feel “stuck” long after a loss. Their grief never had a safe place to go. Therapy provides that space.

In therapy, children can play, draw, and express what they cannot say out loud. Teens can explore their feelings without judgment. Adults can finally speak the truth about what they lost and how it changed them. Grief does not need to be rushed. It needs to be understood.

You Do Not Have to Carry This Alone

No matter your age, your grief matters. Whether you are supporting a child who has experienced a loss, a teen who feels overwhelmed by change, or you are navigating your own grief, you deserve compassionate support.

At Inner Healing Therapy, we help clients across the lifespan process loss in a way that feels safe, supportive, and grounded. Healing does not mean forgetting. It means learning how to live again while carrying what mattered.

If you or your child are struggling with grief or a major life change, we are here to help. Reach out to begin the healing process in a supportive, understanding space.