Why does grief often feel heavier around birthdays, anniversaries and significant dates, even years later? It's not because you're moving backwards. It's because your brain and nervous system remember what your mind sometimes forgets. In this article, I explore the psychology and neuroscience behind anniversary reactions, why they can feel so overwhelming, and how to navigate these moments with greater understanding and self-compassion.

Grief is often misunderstood as sadness after losing someone. But grief is far more complex. It is the process of adapting to the loss of what mattered - whether that is a person, a relationship, a future you imagined, your health, or a version of yourself. In this article, psychotherapist Chloe Cassidy explores why grief changes our identity, why you may not feel like yourself after loss, and what healing actually looks like.