It’s OK That You’re Not OK

“It’s OK That You’re Not OK” offers a deeper look into what happens when real grief meets cultural pressures to ‘fix’ emotional pain. Megan Devine breaks down why mourning is not a sign of failure or weakness, but a natural, honest response to losing someone dear. She guides readers to consider how common advice to “move on” often causes more harm, emphasizing that healing grows from acknowledging your grief rather than running from it.

This book stands out by rehumanizing sorrow. It highlights that pain deserves understanding and respect, not hurried solutions. In a world eager for quick optimism, Devine shows that grief is part of love, and learning to live alongside it can foster genuine emotional resilience. Her approach affirms that it’s alright to carry grief without shame, paving a path toward compassionate self-care and true community support.

Megan Devine’s primary strength is her compassionate refusal to treat sorrow as a disorder. She lays out her argument with clear examples of how cultural narratives around self-help inadvertently pressure grievers to feel better fast. By contrasting unavoidable pain with needless suffering, she provides practical ways to honor the deeper truth of loss—such as setting boundaries with well-meaning but hurtful voices, practicing honest self-care, and finding friends who can handle raw grief.

Her writing style is direct and thoughtful, offering a balanced blend of professional insight and personal warmth. Devine’s advice is accessible for anyone confronting loss of any magnitude, from the death of a loved one to other significant life changes. Ultimately, this book reminds us that grief is a valid expression of love, and Devine recommends meeting it head-on rather than trying to outrun it.