Grief used to be a shadow. Something you carried in silence, tucked behind polite smiles and “I’m fine “s. But not anymore. Grief is trending—and not in a superficial way. It’s becoming a global conversation, a mental health movement, and a viral healing modality that’s reshaping how we mourn, how we heal, and how we connect.
Welcome to the Grief Renaissance.
The Rise of #GriefTok and Digital Mourning
Open TikTok and search for #GriefTok. You’ll find over 27 billion views of people sharing their stories, crying in real time, posting tributes, and unpacking trauma with strangers who become soulmates. This isn’t performative; it’s cathartic.
We are experiencing a cultural shift where grief is no longer seen as a private burden; instead, it has become a shared experience. It acts as a digital ritual, allowing individuals to express, “I’m broken, but I’m still here.” This platform enables people to share their feelings and release their emotions, which is an essential part of the healing process.
And science backs it up.
Neuroscience of Grief
Research indicates that sharing emotional experiences activates the brain’s default mode network, which is associated with self-reflection and healing. In other words, discussing grief—particularly in a community setting—actually rewires your brain for resilience.
Why Grief Is Rising—and Why People Are Turning to the Internet for Help
Grief is surging. And not just because of personal loss, but because of collective trauma. We’re living through an era of relentless tragedy:
- Over 566 mass shootings occurred in the U.S. in 2023 alone.
- School shootings have devastated more than 30 schools in a single year.
- Natural disasters—from wildfires to hurricanes—are displacing families and destroying lives.
- Suicide rates are climbing, especially among teens and young adults.
- Murders, car accidents, and sudden deaths continue to leave communities shattered.
People are grieving not just loved ones, but safety, normalcy, and hope.
And they’re seeking support using the most powerful tool of our time: the internet.
Social media platforms have become the new grief counselors. Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube are where people go to be heard, to be helped, and to be healed. In my opinion, it’s genius, and people are very fortunate today for this easy access.
Healing Isn’t Linear, But It Might Be Viral
Let’s be clear: grief isn’t a trend. It’s timeless. But the way we engage with it is evolving—and radically so. Today, we’re turning to tools that speak to both the body and the soul.
We’re learning that trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it lodges in the muscles, the fascia, the nervous system. Somatic therapy helps us release grief stored in the body through movement, breath, and awareness. It’s a way of letting the body speak when words fall short.
Some grief is beyond language. That’s where breathwork and EMDR come in. EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—is helping people rewire their relationship to pain. Miley Cyrus called it “life-saving,” describing how one session helped her uncover generational trauma linked to her mother. Prince Harry underwent EMDR on camera to destigmatize therapy, saying it made him “capable of handling anything.” Lady Gaga used it to treat PTSD from sexual assault, sharing that it helped her feel more grounded and in control. Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Jameela Jamil, and David Beckham have all turned to EMDR to process trauma—from public scrutiny to personal loss—and found clarity on the other side.
In a world that often rushes past sorrow, online grief circles offer a sacred pause. These virtual communities are where people gather to be seen, heard, and helped, without judgment. Whether it’s a Zoom support group or a mindful grief circle, these spaces remind us: you don’t have to grieve alone.
And yes, we’re crying on camera. Not for likes, but for liberation. Vulnerability is no longer a weakness—it’s a revolution. Social media has become a mirror, a microphone, and a megaphone for our mourning.
“If you’ve ever felt broken, you’re not alone—and the internet is finally saying so.”
Trauma, the Brain, and Why Grief Needs to Be Understood—Not Silenced
As a special education teacher, I’ve spent years learning about the brain—how it processes information, how it adapts to disabilities, and most importantly, how it responds to trauma. I’ve been fascinated by these concepts and spent a lot of time studying them. After my own trauma, I was obsessed with learning more about what my brain was doing and how to make it better for myself, my students, and now for you.
I’ve sat in countless courses and professional development sessions with doctors, neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who break down the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus—the parts of the brain that light up when a child is scared, grieving, or overwhelmed. I’ve seen firsthand how trauma rewires pathways for learning, behavior, and emotional regulation. It’s fascinating!
In my teaching experience, I worked with children who’ve lost parents, siblings, witnessed violence, lived through multiple foster care transitions, and carry invisible wounds heavier than we can imagine. Their grief shows up as defiance, withdrawal, perfectionism, anxiety, or academic struggle. And unless we understand the neuroscience of trauma, we risk mislabeling pain as misbehavior. I see this all the time in my work!
If you’ve followed my blog, you’ll remember my article on trauma-informed care in schools—how we need more trained staff, more empathy, and more systems that recognize grief as a learning barrier, not a character flaw.
And here’s the truth:
Grief doesn’t just live in the heart—it lives in the brain. And if we want to heal, we have to start listening.
We are in a moment where grief is no longer hidden. It’s speaking. It’s trending. It’s demanding to be understood.
Why This Matters (And Why You’ll Want to Read Grief Stricken)
I wrote Grief Stricken from a place most people are afraid to explore: the raw, unfiltered center of heartbreak. It wasn’t planned, and it wasn’t polished. It was poured out—page by page—from the depths of my own loss. I shared my experiences leading up to my mother’s untimely death, expressed my raw emotions, and described how it affected my life, family, and relationships. I also detailed how I handled it and embarked on a healing journey along the way.
It’s not perfect, and it’s not written from a professional’s point of view; it’s my story—a person who lost a parent at a young age, and what I did to survive and heal. Grief is heavy, and the healing journey doesn’t fully end—in fact, I’m still on that road today. This is why I continue to write in my blog, sharing weekly insights, trends, and topics that can help you or someone you know navigate the world of mental health.
Instead of bottling up my feelings, I let them flow into words. Grief doesn’t disappear when ignored; it grows heavier. I knew I had to release it before it swallowed me whole.
Grief Stricken is more than just a book; it’s a lifeline. It’s for anyone who feels like they’re drowning in sorrow, gasping for air in a world that keeps moving while your heart stands still. It’s a story that connects us in this gigantic world.
This book proves that you’re not alone in your sadness, that your pain is valid, and that your tears matter. Most importantly, it offers hope that you will get through this and that healing is possible.
Inside, you’ll find:
– Healing modalities that support you emotionally, physically, and spiritually
– Reflections and affirmations to guide you through the darkest days
– A compassionate voice that walks beside you, not ahead of you
It’s for those who cry in parking lots, scroll through old texts, listen to voice messages over and over, look at pictures for hours, and wonder if anyone truly sees their pain. I see your pain, I see you, and you are not alone.
This book is a mirror, a companion, and a quiet voice that says: You’re allowed to feel this. You’re allowed to heal. You will get through this!
And now, millions of us are finally saying: “Grief isn’t quiet anymore. It’s trending—and it’s transformative.”
Let’s make healing go viral. Let’s make grief loud. Let’s make it sacred.
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