Grief doesn't follow a schedule, and it rarely looks the way we expect it to. Someone might seem "fine" for weeks and then be overwhelmed by a small reminder. Another person might struggle to feel anything at all. There's no single right way to grieve — but there are things that genuinely help along the way.
We asked Dr. Sugandha Gupta and Dr. Paramjeet Singh of Delhi Mind Clinic a simple question:
"What's one thing people get wrong — or right — about coping with grief and loss?"
Here's what they told us.
Meet the Experts
This piece features insights from:
Dr. Sugandha Gupta — Delhi Mind Clinic
Dr. Paramjeet Singh — Delhi Mind Clinic
- Grief Isn't Linear, and It Shouldn't Be Rushed
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Gupta's review] "People often expect grief to move through neat stages and then be 'done.' In reality, it moves in waves — some days feel manageable, others bring the loss back as freshly as day one, sometimes months or years later. There's no timeline to hold yourself, or someone else, to." — Dr. Sugandha Gupta, Delhi Mind Clinic
- There's No 'Right' Way to Grieve
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Singh's review] "Some people grieve by talking, others by staying busy, others by withdrawing for a while. I try to help families understand that a quieter response isn't a lesser one — everyone processes loss differently, and comparing how family members grieve to each other often causes unnecessary hurt." — Dr. Paramjeet Singh, Delhi Mind Clinic
- Avoid Rushing to 'Fix' Someone's Grief
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Gupta's review] "The instinct to say 'they're in a better place' or 'everything happens for a reason' usually comes from wanting to ease someone's pain. But often, what a grieving person needs most is simply to be heard, not comforted with a resolution. Sometimes the most helpful thing is just sitting with them in it." — Dr. Sugandha Gupta, Delhi Mind Clinic
- Children and Teens Grieve Differently Than Adults Expect
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Singh's review] "Kids and teens may grieve in short bursts — deeply upset one moment, playing normally the next — which can look like they're 'not affected,' but that's often just how grief shows up developmentally. It doesn't mean the loss matters less to them; it means their coping looks different from an adult's." — Dr. Paramjeet Singh, Delhi Mind Clinic
- Anniversaries and 'Firsts' Deserve Extra Care
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Gupta's review] "The first birthday, festival, or anniversary after a loss often hits harder than people expect, even when the initial grief has settled somewhat. Acknowledging these dates in advance — rather than pretending they're just another day — tends to help families feel more prepared and supported." — Dr. Sugandha Gupta, Delhi Mind Clinic
- Grief Can Resurface Even Years Later
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Gupta's review] "I sometimes see people come in years after a loss, confused about why grief has resurfaced. A new life event — a wedding, a birth, a milestone the person they lost isn't there for — can bring grief back sharply. This isn't a sign of failing to 'move on'; it's a normal part of an ongoing relationship with loss." — Dr. Sugandha Gupta, Delhi Mind Clinic
- Supporting Someone Doesn't Require the Right Words
[DRAFT QUOTE — for Dr. Singh's review] "People often avoid reaching out to a grieving friend or family member because they're afraid of saying the wrong thing. Honestly, presence matters more than perfect words. A simple 'I'm here, and I don't expect you to be okay' often means more than any well-crafted sentence." — Dr. Paramjeet Singh, Delhi Mind Clinic
(Note: These quotes are drafted placeholders written to fit Dr. Gupta's and Dr. Singh's clinical focus and this article's theme — please have them review, edit, or personally rewrite these in their own words before publishing, so the piece accurately reflects their genuine perspective.)
Gentle Ways to Support Someone Who's Grieving
Show up consistently, not just in the first week — grief support often matters most weeks and months later, once the initial attention has faded.
Let them lead the conversation. Follow their cues on whether they want to talk about the loss or simply be distracted for a while.
Avoid comparing losses or offering unsolicited timelines for "moving on."
Mark difficult dates — anniversaries, birthdays, festivals — with a check-in rather than assuming they'll be fine.
Take care of yourself too, especially if you're grieving alongside someone else in the family.
When Grief May Need Extra Support
Grief itself isn't a mental health condition, but sometimes the weight of it can become difficult to carry alone — especially if it's accompanied by prolonged hopelessness, withdrawal from daily life, or a sense of being stuck for an extended period. In these situations, speaking with a mental health professional can offer a supportive space to process what's happened, at whatever pace feels right.
Delhi Mind Clinic works with individuals and families navigating grief and loss, offering a compassionate space to process what they're going through, without judgment or a fixed timeline.
Share These Insights
If you found this useful, consider sharing this post or linking to it as a resource for your own readers — grief is something almost everyone will face, and practical, compassionate guidance is hard to find. Mental health professionals, counsellors, and bloggers are welcome to cite or reference this article with credit and a link back to DelhiMindClinic.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long is grief supposed to last? There's no fixed timeline. Grief often becomes more manageable over time, but it can also resurface unexpectedly, even years later. What matters more than duration is whether someone is able to gradually re-engage with daily life alongside their grief.
Q2: How can I support a grieving friend without saying the wrong thing? Simple presence often matters more than finding perfect words. Acknowledging the loss directly, checking in over time (not just right after), and letting them lead the conversation tend to be more helpful than trying to offer resolution or advice.
Q3: Is it normal for grief to feel worse on anniversaries or special occasions? Yes — anniversaries, birthdays, and festivals often intensify grief, even well after the initial loss. This is a common and normal experience, not a sign that someone hasn't processed their grief properly.
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