Father’s Day, After He’s Gone

Father’s Day used to be simple.

A phone call. A pint. Maybe a silly present he didn’t need but pretended to like anyway. Since my father died in 2023, the day’s taken on a very different weight.

I’m still figuring out how to carry that.

Some days I feel okay—like I’m moving forward. Other days, grief feels like a punch in the chest that comes out of nowhere. It’s quieter than I expected. Lonelier, too. And like a lot of men, I didn’t really know how to talk about it.

I still don’t have all the answers. But I’ve learned that silence doesn’t help. Bottling things up only makes them heavier.

That’s one of the reasons Chappell Barrett exists—to create space for real conversations. About strength. About struggle. About the quiet stuff we often don’t say out loud.

And today, on Father’s Day, I just want to say this:

If you’re finding it tough—you’re not alone.

Whether you’ve lost your dad, have a complicated relationship with him, or you’re just not feeling great today, it’s okay to admit it. There’s no rulebook for this stuff. What matters is not carrying it all on your own.

Text a mate. Go for a walk. Talk to someone.

That’s why we support Men Who Talk—an organisation doing brilliant work to open up conversations around men’s mental health. They’ve built a space where blokes can be honest without fear or shame, and it’s the kind of work we need more of.

And if today is a good one for you—brilliant. Make the most of it. Call your dad. Hug him. Tell him what he means to you.

We spend so much time pushing through. But sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is feel it. Speak it. Share it.

Thanks for reading.

And whatever this day brings for you—I hope you take care of yourself.