This is just a small sampling because there are so many Instagram accounts that have inspired and comforted me in my grief — or, on those days when I feel incapable of inspiration or comfort, they simply keep me company in my grief and remind me that I’m never alone.
@glitterandgrief
Four years ago she lost her dad to sepsis. She was 23 at the time. Now she creates beautiful illustrations and pairs them with her thoughts on grief. She shares the hardest parts of her loss, the happiest parts of her life (she was recently married and the photos from that day are gorgeous!), and everything in between. On hard days, this is an account I always go to.
@griefandgrits
She lost her dad to leukemia in 1966 when she was ten years old and has been grieving ever since. She wrote a children’s book about grief that I can’t wait to get my hands on. On her page, she shares a lot of really helpful advice about how to talk to someone who is grieving. She explains why certain phrases are hurtful and what to say instead in a way that is both understanding and compassionate.
@refugeingrief
Recently, my favorite thing on this page is her new “Did you know that XXX Is #perfectlynormal in grief?” series, which helps to shed a light on all those #perfectlynormal things we do in grief that may feel like anything but at the time. She also shares compassionate advice for grievers as well as helpful tips for the people in a griever’s life.
@thethingaboutgrief
She lost her mom to cancer while she was in her late twenties. Now she pairs illustrations with her thoughts on grief in a way that is vulnerable, touching, and another great reminder that we are never alone in our grief.
@whatsyourgrief
This grief community often hosts photo challenges and shares posts about grief, self-care and community.
@deathdialgouesproject
She lost her brother and mother and made it her mission to openly talk about death instead of hiding from it. She hosts a podcast and helps to share other people’s death stories, which are of course also life stories — death is a part of life and this page helps to confront it.
@veronicadearly
A lot of people share positive illustrations on Instagram that are intended to make you feel sparkly and bubbly. Fewer people share illustrations that actually feel like real life and that don’t make you feel like you just swallowed a huge gulp of forced positivity. These illustrations are the real deal and never fail to make me feel a little better.
@thejoyscout
She lost her dad to colon cancer in 2012 when she was 22. After going through years where it felt like grief stripped her of her joy, she started asking people around her “What comes to to mind when you think of the word joy?” and began scouting joy all around her. This page is as much about grief as it is about joy and I turn to it on days when I need to be reminded of the joy that exists alongside grief.
@littlearthlings
The “gentle reminders” on this page are so sweet and perfect and impossible not to love.
In grief and with love,
KrissyMick
Photo Credits, Top to Bottom: @glitterandgrief, @griefandgrits, @refugeingrief, @thethingaboutgrief, @whatsyourgrief, @deathdialoguesproject, @veronicadearly, @thejoyscout, @littlearthlings