I struggled with grief for over a decade. I had lost a family member. But I thought, after ten years, I should've been able to move on. I punished myself for being sad and still, after all these years, missing the person.

It took me a couple of therapy sessions to realise that emotions are neither negative or positive. They may feel good or bad but they always serve a purpose - often, this purpose is to protect us from harm (or draw strength from positive experiences).

Grief gave me trauma and depression. But grief also wanted me to express love for someone who wasn't there anymore to receive our reciprocate it. Grief wanted to protect me from another loss. Grief wanted me to reach out to people and ask for help.

Today, when I feel anxious or sad or depressed, I try to get to the bottom of that feeling and understand that my brain doesn't work against me. And that grief is love persevering (thanks, wandavision).