Grief is a natural response to the profound loss of someone or something we deeply care about. However, it is not a one-size-fits-all experience. While we all experience grief, the healing process is a fundamentally personal, unique, and often uncharted journey.
Understanding Grief:
You may be familiar with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While this can provide a pathway for understanding grief, it's important to remember that these stages do not necessarily occur in a linear or predictable fashion. Grief tends to be cyclical, and we often experience (and re-experience) physical and emotional reactions long after we feel that we should be experiencing them.
Grief manifests in a variety of physical and emotional ways. Physical symptoms might include changes in appetite, fatigue or sleeping patterns. Emotionally, you may cycle through feelings of sadness, guilt, anger, or even feelings of relief and freedom. All of these reactions are valid. Events such as anniversaries, birthdays, or unexpected reminders of your loss can cause intense grief reactions. These reactions often come in waves, sometimes hitting with debilitating intensity and at other times receding into the background. Understanding these fluctuations can help in the healing process.
The Power of Connection and Support:
Grief can be an isolating experience. One impactful resource in the healing process can be the support and understanding of others. We are offering a virtual 12 week grief and loss group for those who have lost a loved one through death. This weekly group is open to Massachusetts and Connecticut residents and runs virtually on Wednesdays at 7 pm starting October 4th. In addition to exploring the grief cycle, this group provides opportunities for developing practical tools and coping strategies to help navigate the complexities of grief. Each group session holds space to connect with others who understand the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
Whether you are considering joining our group or simply seeking information on grief, I hope this post provides some insight into the grieving process.
-Olivia
Contact us today to see how we can work together.
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