Happy Hour for Sad People: an Unconventional Grief Circle

A grief circle at a bar. Grounded Grief x Rhinestone PDX's monthly grief circle.

Most of us who are grieving don't want to just grieve. We also want to love, laugh, and be part of the party.

Grounded Grief x Rhinestone PDX have turned "Happy Hour for Sad People" into a monthly residency. Every fourth Monday of the month, we're taking over the bar to prove that just because we're sad doesn't mean we don't want to be invited to the party. We want a space where grief can float in and out—where tears are welcome amidst laughter, and where your heaviest emotions can sit right next to your favorite cocktail (or mocktail).

Why a bar?

Because grief doesn't just need a special "sanctuary" or private room. Grief belongs everywhere because every human experiences it. Grief belongs at the party, too. Even if it's crying in the corner, it belongs in the midst of love and laughter because it wouldn't exist without those things.

What can you expect?

Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, an identity, a dream, a health diagnosis, or the state of the world—you are welcome here.

• Grief-themed games designed to help us laugh and move through our grief without drowning in it (think: BINGO for S*ht People Say when You're Grieving*, Mad Libs, & We're Not Really Strangers style prompts).

• Special grief-themed cocktails + mocktails cooked up by the rad owners of Rhinestone PDX.

• A community of people who are figuring out how to keep loving even in the face of tremendous loss.

• Zero pressure to share anything you don't want to share. You can go as deep or stay as shallow as you want. There is no "right" way to grieve and no requirement to share your story out loud.

• A licensed therapist-led space that's facilitated expertly. You don't have to worry about one person dominating the space; you'll leave feeling a little more supported and uplifted, not depressed.

• The Vibe: We're here to talk about our most intense losses and the stupid show we watched on TV last night. Because we contain multitudes.

• First time? You're in good company. Many people come solo, and our facilitator makes sure everyone feels included from the jump.

  
  

The Details:

• When: The fourth Monday evening of every month

• Where: Rhinestone, Portland, OR

• Tickets: $15 (Sign up via Eventbrite or at www.groundedgrief.com)

  
  

Financial Hardship: We never want the ticket price to be a barrier to support. If you're experiencing financial hardship, please email katherine@groundedgrief.com, and we can help you out.

Grief is just love with nowhere to go. Come give it a place to land.

We can't wait to toast you and your grief. <3