🌸 Honouring Grief with Self-Compassion - How to manage Anniversaries, Milestones, and Pregnancy Loss
- Valentina
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 16
Pregnancy and parenthood bring profound emotions — joy, anticipation, and love, but also moments of sadness and grief. When you’ve experienced pregnancy loss or when anniversaries, due dates, or other milestones arrive, the emotions can feel raw and overwhelming.
This space is for those moments. You are not alone, and your grief is valid.
Why Grief After Pregnancy Loss Deserves Space
Many people feel pressure to “move on” quickly after a pregnancy loss, or to hide sadness from others. But grief doesn’t have a timeline. It may come in waves, often stronger around anniversaries, due dates, or pregnancy milestones. These feelings are a natural expression of love and longing.
Giving grief space — rather than pushing it down — is an act of compassion. It allows healing to begin gently and safely.
Why Self-Compassion Matters During Loss
When we are hurting, a harsh inner voice can appear: “I should be over this,” “Why can’t I cope?” Self-compassion helps interrupt this cycle. Instead of self-criticism, we offer ourselves the same kindness we would give to a friend.
Research shows that self-compassion can:
Reduce feelings of isolation and shame.
Support emotional healing after miscarriage or pregnancy loss.
Build resilience when facing painful milestones.
A Gentle Meditation for Grief and Pregnancy Loss
Part 4 of the Pregnancy, Parenthood & Self-Compassion Series is a guided meditation created to support you when grief surfaces. It’s especially helpful if you’re approaching an anniversary, a due date, or a day that feels heavy.
This short practice can help you:
💔 Acknowledge and validate grief and love
🌸 Create safety and self-compassion while remembering
🕊️ Navigate anniversaries and milestones gently
💕 Feel connected and supported even in sadness
You can return to this meditation whenever you feel overwhelmed by emotions. Over time, it can become a safe, familiar place to find comfort.
Coping with Anniversaries and Milestones
Prepare ahead: If you know a tender date is coming, plan gentle support — time alone, a walk, or connecting with someone who understands.
Create a ritual: Light a candle, write a letter, or plant something in memory.
Allow mixed emotions: You might feel sadness, love, and even hope. All can coexist.
Use self-soothing: Place a hand on your heart, breathe slowly, and repeat a compassionate phrase like, “I’m hurting, and I’m allowed to take care of myself.”
About TheSpaceForYou
We are a UK-based team of Clinical and Counselling Psychologists offering evidence-based therapy in English, Italian, Polish, and Portuguese. Our therapists are registered with the HCPC and BACP, and we also work with health insurance providers such as Bupa, AXA, Vitality, and Cigna to make accessing support easier.
Learn more or book a session: www.thespaceforyou.co.uk
A Final Word of Kindness
If you are grieving, you are not broken — you are human. Grief is a testament to love. Moments of compassion — such as this meditation — are small yet powerful ways to tend to yourself while you heal.
Access to the Pregnancy and Parenthood Series here:
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