Grief is often described as an emotional experience — sadness, shock, longing, or numbness. But for many people in Bellevue and across Washington state, grief is felt first in the body, long before the mind can make sense of what has happened.

Whether you’re processing a recent loss, an old grief resurfacing, or a transition that changed your sense of stability, it’s common to notice physical shifts that seem unrelated at first. Understanding these signals can help you navigate loss with more clarity and self-compassion.

Loss is overwhelming to the body. Even when someone is “holding it together,” the nervous system begins signaling distress, protection, or emotional

Grief is often portrayed as something obvious — crying, sadness, emotional heaviness. But in reality, grief shows up in far more subtle ways, especially months or years after a loss. Many people in Washington describe feeling “off,” disconnected, overwhelmed, or unlike themselves, without immediately linking those experiences to grief.

You don’t have to be actively mourning for grief to still be shaping your emotional world. Loss leaves traces in the body, in relationships, in routines, and in the way you navigate your days. Understanding these subtle signs can help you recognize when your system is still processing something meaningful.

This guide explores quiet forms of grief that often go unnoticed, and how working with a therapist can support you through these