Many adults aren't comfortable with sadness — their own or others'. The instinct is to fix, distract, or push through. Sadness sat with, allowed to be felt, usually passes within 20-90 minutes. Sadness avoided becomes anxiety, anger, compulsive behaviour, or chronic low mood.
What sitting with sadness looks like
Notice the feeling. Let it be in the body. Don't analyse why or try to fix. Cry if tears come. Wait. Most sadness has shorter half-life than fear suggests.
It's a skill that improves with practice. The next time sadness comes, try 20 minutes of presence rather than distraction. The relationship with all emotions improves through this practice.