Understanding Grief: A Normal and Personal Journey
Grief is a natural and human response to loss. It can come in waves, vary in intensity, and show up differently for everyone. While it’s often associated with the loss of a loved one, grief can also arise from many other life changes, such as the end of a relationship, loss of a pet, loss of a job, or even moving to a new place. No matter the cause, your grief is valid and deserves space and understanding. I have experienced profound losses in my life and understand how incredibly difficult the process of grieving can be.
Different Kinds of Grief
Grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It can take many forms and manifest in various ways. Some types of grief include:
Embracing Your Own Healing
Grief doesn’t follow a predictable path. It’s not something to “get over” but something to learn to live with in a way that honors your own unique process. Healing from grief involves accepting your feelings, giving yourself permission to grieve, and allowing space for the ups and downs that naturally occur.
Healing Is Not Forgetting
Sometimes, as you begin to heal, guilt can creep in. You may worry that feeling better means you’re forgetting or dishonoring the person or experience you lost. Healing does not mean forgetting—it’s about learning to carry your loss differently. Allowing yourself moments of peace, laughter, or happiness doesn’t diminish your love or the importance of what you’ve lost. It simply means you are growing around your grief, creating space for both your loss and your life.
Moving Forward, Not Moving On
People often feel pressure to “move on” from loss, but that idea can feel dismissive and invalidating. It’s more about moving forward with your grief—learning to integrate it into your life while also finding meaning, purpose, and joy again. There’s no timeline for this, and there’s no “right” way to grieve.
Finding Support
Talking to someone who understands can make a big difference. Whether it’s through therapy, support groups, or conversations with loved ones, expressing your feelings and sharing your story can help you navigate your grief in a healthy and supportive way.
If you’re looking for a safe space to explore your grief, I’m here to support you. Reach out today to learn more about how I can help.
Grief is a natural and human response to loss. It can come in waves, vary in intensity, and show up differently for everyone. While it’s often associated with the loss of a loved one, grief can also arise from many other life changes, such as the end of a relationship, loss of a pet, loss of a job, or even moving to a new place. No matter the cause, your grief is valid and deserves space and understanding. I have experienced profound losses in my life and understand how incredibly difficult the process of grieving can be.
Different Kinds of Grief
Grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It can take many forms and manifest in various ways. Some types of grief include:
- Anticipatory Grief: The grief that comes before a loss, often experienced when someone is facing a terminal illness or the decline of a loved one.
- Complicated Grief: When the feelings of loss are so intense and enduring that they interfere with daily life and functioning.
- Disenfranchised Grief: Grief that isn’t acknowledged by society, like grieving a pet, an ex-partner, or a non-death loss.
- Cumulative Grief: When multiple losses happen in a short period, leaving little time to heal between them.
- Secondary Loss Grief: Grieving not just the primary loss but all the changes and adjustments that follow.
Embracing Your Own Healing
Grief doesn’t follow a predictable path. It’s not something to “get over” but something to learn to live with in a way that honors your own unique process. Healing from grief involves accepting your feelings, giving yourself permission to grieve, and allowing space for the ups and downs that naturally occur.
Healing Is Not Forgetting
Sometimes, as you begin to heal, guilt can creep in. You may worry that feeling better means you’re forgetting or dishonoring the person or experience you lost. Healing does not mean forgetting—it’s about learning to carry your loss differently. Allowing yourself moments of peace, laughter, or happiness doesn’t diminish your love or the importance of what you’ve lost. It simply means you are growing around your grief, creating space for both your loss and your life.
Moving Forward, Not Moving On
People often feel pressure to “move on” from loss, but that idea can feel dismissive and invalidating. It’s more about moving forward with your grief—learning to integrate it into your life while also finding meaning, purpose, and joy again. There’s no timeline for this, and there’s no “right” way to grieve.
Finding Support
Talking to someone who understands can make a big difference. Whether it’s through therapy, support groups, or conversations with loved ones, expressing your feelings and sharing your story can help you navigate your grief in a healthy and supportive way.
If you’re looking for a safe space to explore your grief, I’m here to support you. Reach out today to learn more about how I can help.