As January arrives, the world seems to fill with declarations of fresh starts: “New Year, New Me”. New routines. New goals. New energy. 

But if you are grieving, whether your loss is recent or not, the new year can feel less like a blank page and more like an endurance test. 

When you’re grieving, your only priority may be getting through the day. And that is more than enough. 

Grief Doesn’t Follow the Calendar 

The new year doesn’t reset grief, and it doesn’t soften loss or shorten longing. 

For many people, January can feel particularly heavy. The festive period is over, support may have faded, and life is expected to “return to normal” even though your world may feel permanently changed. 

If you’re finding the pressure to be positive, productive or transformed overwhelming, you are not failing. You are grieving. 

Why “New Year, New Me” Can Hurt 

The idea that we should reinvent ourselves at the turn of the year can be especially painful when you’re living with loss. 

Grief already changes you. It reshapes your priorities, your energy, your sense of safety. 

Being told whether directly or indirectly, that that this is the moment to “move on” or “start fresh” can feel dismissive of everything you’ve been carrying. 

Sometimes the bravest goal you can set is simply this to keep going. 

Permission to Lower the Bar 

If you’re grieving, it’s okay if your version of self-care looks like: 

• Getting out of bed 

• Eating something simple 

• Going outside for a few minutes 

• Cancelling plans without explanation 

• Breathing through the hardest moments 

You don’t owe anyone resolutions, reinvention or optimism. 

Honouring the Person You’ve Lost 

For some, the new year brings an ache at what will never be. For others, it brings quiet reflection. 

You might find comfort in: 

• Writing their name somewhere visible 

• Lighting a candle on difficult days 

• Talking about them, even when others don’t 

• Carrying something that reminds you of them 

Remembering is not being stuck, it’s a way of continuing love. 

When Practical Decisions Feel Overwhelming 

Grief can also bring practical concerns, sometimes suddenly, sometimes much later. 

Whether you’re arranging a funeral, supporting someone else, or thinking about your own wishes, The Farewell Guide exists to make those moments a little less heavy. 

The platform allows you to: 

• Search for a funeral director by postcode and services 

• Record funeral wishes at your own pace 

• Share wishes securely, reducing future pressure on loved ones 

There is no urgency. No expectation. Just support when you need it. 

If Grief Feels Heavier at This Time of Year 

The new year can amplify loneliness and exhaustion. If you’re struggling, these UK organisations offer compassionate support: 

Bereavement & Emotional Support 

• Cruse Bereavement Support – 0808 808 1677 

• Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7) 

• The Good Grief Trust – national support hub 

Support for Children & Young People 

• Child Bereavement UK – 0800 02 888 40 

• Winston’s Wish – 08088 020 021 

• YoungMinds Parents Helpline – 0808 802 5544