Not all grief is loud.
Not all sorrow is public.
Some of the most profound pain walks into the room dressed in a smile.
This week is for the ones who grieve in silence. The ones who are always “okay” on the outside, even when their inner world is unraveling. The ones who carry their brokenness like a secret—well-kept, well-presented, and well-hidden.
Why We Hide Our Grief
People often hide their grief for many reasons:
They don’t want to be a burden. They’re tired of explaining their pain. They’ve been told to “be strong.” They feel they should be “over it” by now.
So, they keep showing up.
Keep working.
Keep smiling.
Keep leading.
And the world applauds their strength, unaware that the smile is both a mask and a shield.
But unspoken grief doesn’t disappear. It lodges itself in the soul, waiting for quiet moments to spill over—sometimes through anxiety, physical exhaustion, or a deep sense of loneliness.
There’s No Shame in Feeling Deeply
You don’t have to hide how much it still hurts.
Your tears do not make you weak. They are evidence that you loved. That you lost. That you’re still learning to live again.
Smiling through pain doesn’t make you dishonest—but if the smile is suffocating your healing, it may be time to let someone see behind it.
Let someone in.
Let yourself feel.
Let the weight be shared—even just a little.
Grief is heavy enough without carrying the pressure to appear “fine.”
Giving Yourself Permission
You’re allowed to smile when you feel joy.
You’re allowed to cry when you feel loss.
You’re allowed to do both—sometimes in the same breath.
Don’t rob yourself of the chance to be fully seen and gently held by someone who cares. Healing requires honesty. And sometimes the first step toward wholeness is admitting you’re not okay.
Your smile will one day be genuine again—not forced, not protective, but free. Until then, let the healing come one truth at a time.
Selah Moment with Dr. Althea Winifred
Next Level 