The Grief Hangover

You wake up feeling wrecked.

Eyes puffy and raw, like they’ve been scrubbed with sandpaper.

Head heavy, pounding with every heartbeat.

Mouth dry, stomach uneasy — like you survived some wild night you never wanted to be at.

But it wasn’t a party.

It was last night’s tears.

The ugly crying that stole your breath.

The sobs that left your shirt damp and your pillow streaked with salt.

The kind of crying that squeezes your ribs until they ache and leaves you gasping like you just ran a marathon.

And when you finally passed out — drained, exhausted — you thought maybe morning would feel lighter.

But morning comes, and grief is still there.

Waiting for you.

Heavy in your chest.

Fogging your thoughts.

Settling over you before your feet even hit the floor.

You drag yourself up anyway.

Because even with the grief hangover, life doesn’t pause.

And somehow, neither do you.

If these words connected with you, you’ll find many more like them in What Remains. It’s a collection of the writings I’ve shared over the years, bringing together reflections on grief, love, loss, and the connections that continue long after someone is gone.

I hope it brings you comfort, understanding, and the reminder that you’re not alone.

If you’d like to read more, you can find the book here

Available now on Amazon