How to cope with loneliness over winter
Over winter, with the darker evenings, feelings of loneliness can seem more overwhelming than ever.
Grieving the death of a friend can be just as significant as the death of a family member. You may even feel like you’re closer with some friends than with some family members. Lots of support is typically aimed at the family of the person who died and not necessarily their friends, and we recognise that this can be a really difficult time where you may need additional support. To talk to us about your grief and how you’re feeling, scroll down to find out how to use our on-demand services including helpline, live chat, and ask email.
Finding out the news that your friend has died can happen in a number of different ways. For example, you might find out from their family, another friend, your school or college, or maybe through social media. The way in which you find out this news can impact your initial emotions and you may experience shock. That’s completely normal and it’s okay if you feel overwhelmed.
At first, it can be difficult to understand how your feeling, and you may face emotions like confusion, anger, sadness, and guilt all at once. On the other hand, you might be feeling nothing at all and like part of you is missing. When you’re ready, try to let those around you know what’s going on so they can try to help you or give you the space you need. People who are close to you may worry about you and be asking you how you are a lot so it can help to let them know if you need time to be ready to talk about your friend and what’s happened.
When a friend dies who has become more distant, or maybe they're a friend you only know online, you may be confused or surprised at how much you’re affected by their death. Estranged friendships can be difficult in themselves and no matter the circumstances, you can still grieve for that person. Thinking about the time you spent together and how close you used to be may feel like you’re losing that person all over again because perhaps you grieved the friendship in a way when it ended or you drifted apart. Online or social media friendships are really common now, and just because you didn’t meet that person it doesn’t mean you can’t feel sadness and grief for them.
There are lots of ways to remember those who’ve died, and friends are no different. You might want to put up photos of you together in your room or scroll through your phone and make an album of your memories with photos and videos. Writing an unsent letter can be a way to let out some of your feelings too; you could write to them and then keep it in a secret place or tear the letter up afterwards. If you have mutual friends, when it feels right you could plan to meet up and spend time together talking about your memories and supporting each other. If you knew your friend’s family, you might like to speak to them too. For more suggestions on how to remember someone who’s died, visit our Grief Toolkit.
If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. You can speak to the Winston’s Wish bereavement team using one of our confidential on-demand services. You can chat with us anonymously if you wish and share whatever you are feeling. Nothing about your grief is off limits. We promise to listen, not judge and can offer advice and guidance if needed. You can speak to us as little or as often as you want.
Click the blue ‘Chat with us’ button at the bottom right of your screen between 8am-8pm, weekdays.
Call us for free on 08088 020 021 between 8am-8pm, weekdays.
If it’s urgent, text WW to 85258 to speak with someone from our trusted partner, Shout. Open 24/7.
If you need to speak to us in a language other than English, we can use interpreters over the phone, and we can use the Relay UK app if you have hearing or speech difficulties.
Over winter, with the darker evenings, feelings of loneliness can seem more overwhelming than ever.
Crying is a normal response when your person has died, no matter how long ago. There's no right or wrong way to grieve, and it's okay to let it out.
A guide for grieving young people from the Winston's Wish Bereavement Support Team.
Three of our Youth Ambassadors, Anna, Libby and Angharad, reflect on their first Christmas without their person.
Winter and the Christmas holidays can be a difficult time of year. Here are five ways to remember your person this season.
Winston's Wish Bereavement Support Workers share their 8 top tips for bereaved teens and young adults through the colder months.
Youth Ambassadors share the ways they remember their person digitally, through photo albums, playlists, and more.
Youth Ambassadors, Daisy, Freya, and Katie, share their personal views of their own secondary losses as a result of their bereavement.
Hear from some of the Youth Team about times when their teachers have helped them with their grief.
Some tips for taking care of yourself when you're grieving for a celebrity or public figure.
Our Bereavement Support Team have written some guidance on how to manage grief when you feel like you aren't able to be open.
Lilly shares an introduction to her grief experience and why it's so important to her to be a Winston's Wish Youth Ambassador.
Hear from some of their Youth Team about how they found support at uni.
Angus, Content Creator, says, "This message is about embracing change and not letting current moments pass you by."
Coping strategies to support you after a teacher has died
Tips from our bereavement support team to help you with big life changes like moving out as a young adult.
Useful tips to help you understand and cope with your grief.
Feeling sad that your person isn't there, guilty that you're celebrating your results, or proud of yourself for your results. There's no right or wrong way to grieve.
It can be very difficult knowing what to say and to be around someone who has experienced the death of someone close. Adults find it difficult too, so try not to feel bad about this.
The death of a friend may feel extremely difficult and can feel as significant as that of a family member. Whatever you're feeling is valid, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
Jack, Content Creator, writes about how managing his grief through running has led to him winning the Leeds Half Marathon 2024!
Iman, Youth Ambassador, explains about Eid and shares what it's like for her and her family to grieve during Eid.
Miranda shares about how she uses music in different ways to help express her grief and emotions.
Ashleigh writes about how both writing and music have helped her in her grief.
The Winston's Wish bereavement support team share top tips for managing grief this Father's Day.
Grace's dad died from cancer when she was eight years old, she shares how she remembers her dad on Father’s Day.
Feelings of worry are very normal when you're grieving. Read on to discover some ways to manage these feelings.
Useful tips for exam season if you're grieving
Youth Ambassador, Iman, shares about her Eid celebrations as a grieving young person
Content Creator, Angus shares his thoughts
Useful tips for exam season
Interview with Mark O’Sullivan, writer of Tell Me Everything
Tips to help improve your sleep when you're grieving
How poetry can be a useful way to express your feelings
Young people share what it's like to grieve while studying at uni.
Our bereavement experts are available to speak to for immediate support on weekdays from 8am to 8pm.
Get top tips from bereavement experts, and hear from Youth Ambassadors, Henri and Teigan, about their experiences of Mother's Day.
Phoebe's mum died when she was nine. She shares how she feels on Mother’s Day and how she remembers her mum.