Managing Grief
Understanding Grief: A Path to Healing
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and no two people grieve in exactly the same way. It’s not just something we experience after the loss of a loved one, but a response to any significant change or loss in our lives. It could be the end of a relationship, a career shift, or even moving away from a familiar place. And because grief is unique to each of us, how we process and manage it will vary. The important thing to remember is that it’s okay to grieve, and allowing yourself to feel those emotions is a critical step in healing.
Grief in Challenging Times
In today’s world, many of us are facing unprecedented challenges. With the ongoing economic uncertainty, job losses, and the rising cost of living, grief can manifest in different forms. Losing our job or worrying about how to pay the mortgage and feed our family brings its own weight of stress and sorrow. The sense of security and stability you once had may feel shattered, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed by the emotional toll of these circumstances. In these moments, grief can feel particularly heavy, but the strategy of allowing ourselves to feel the emotions and working through them can still apply.
When you're caught in the whirlwind of financial worries and uncertainty, try to take a moment to pause and acknowledge the grief of lost security or direction. Hold that feeling, sit with it, and allow yourself to ask, "Could I let this go, even if just for now?" You may not be able to change the external situation immediately, but this process can help you clear your mind enough to refocus on what steps you can take in the present moment.
Grief Strikes at Unexpected Times
Grief doesn’t always follow a predictable timeline. It can arise suddenly, catching you off guard in moments you least expect—a song on the radio, a scent in the air, or a quiet moment of reflection can bring it rushing back. When those moments come, rather than pushing them away, try holding the grief in your heart. Give yourself a few moments to sit with it.
The Power of Allowing Yourself to Feel
The paradox of grief is that the more we allow ourselves to feel it, the more manageable it becomes over time. Denying or suppressing grief can make it linger, but when we welcome the feeling, even just for a few minutes, we begin to understand that it’s a part of the healing process.
After the allowing part ask yourself: “Could I let this feeling go? Would I? When?" This mindful approach to grief, acknowledging the emotion and then choosing when to release it, can help in gradually easing the intensity. It doesn't mean you're "over" your grief—rather, you're learning to navigate it with more awareness and compassion for yourself.
Rebalancing After Grief
After the wave of grief passes, it can be helpful to shift your focus to how you want to feel moving forward. A simple but powerful question to ask yourself is, "How do I want to feel?" By holding that thought and embracing the desired feeling for as long as possible, you're giving yourself the opportunity to rebalance emotionally. Over time, this process can help you regain a sense of peace and calm, even in the face of ongoing grief.
Summary
Grief doesn’t have a set timeline, and it can resurface in unexpected ways. However, when we allow ourselves to feel it fully, ask the right questions, and gradually release the pain, the heaviness of grief can begin to lessen. Remember, it’s not about rushing the process but rather about honouring your emotions as they come and giving yourself the space to heal.
This journey, though personal, can lead to moments of clarity and calm. By choosing how we want to feel after each moment of grief, we invite balance back into our lives—one step at a time.
Support
If you’re finding it difficult to navigate your own grief, or if you need support in working through these emotions, please reach out to me. Together, we can explore ways to lessen the suffering and help you find your balance again.