I heard a humbling story about grief this past weekend.

In a podcast, Emma Tait recounts the story of loss: losing her love, losing her brother to suicide, and losing herself all in a few months.

And she struck a chord: the idea that grief is never linear. It’s not a line graph that goes up and to the right. In fact, you’ll feel much like a washing machine. Tossed and turned and spun, there will be weeks of good days sandwiched with a terrible day.

Most of us, this process will feel rough. You’ll tell yourself: it’s not working. I’m not healing.

But Emma gave some comforting words: You don’t get to see the path, you only get to feel the path. And whatever you’re feeling is natural. Remember: You are doing everything. You just aren’t trusting you are doing everything.

So, take heart. You are on your way. Everything will be better in the end. If it’s not better? It’s not the end.