A Certified Grief Recovery Specialist

Personal

Life is full of change, some easy, others difficult. Depending upon the situation, loss can make us feel good or bad. Losing weight, usually a good thing, losing a job, painful. 

If you love and lose someone or something that is significant in your life, you will grieve, it’s natural and normal. It’s helpful to talk about your feelings with someone who will truly listen. The all too familiar  “5 stages of grief,” is often misunderstood. Grieving is not a competition. First suggestion is to trust yourself, honor your feelings. and decide what is right for you. Unsolicited advice is usually not helpful. You know best. 

Private

When we grieve, we honor who or what we have lost and what it meant to us. Pleasant memories you shared are cherished. Often people will tell you they know how you feel; they don’t, how could they? Frequently, the grieving person feels alone and often isolated. Others may try and take your grief away by suggesting things to keep you busy. Balance is important; time alone and time with friends. Self-care is essential to your well being. You’re not broken, you don’t need to be fixed. You are grieving, you have lost someone or something significant in your life. 

Unique

 It is the “what” that is important, not the “why.” Death is usually the  loss that comes to mind when we think of grief. But there are others, such as loss of health, aging, loss of faith or religion, betrayal, loss of trust,  loss of employment, loss of a beloved pet, moving, a child leaving home. Because loss is unique to you, it is not helpful to compare your grief experience to anyone else. There is only one you. No one experiences life exactly the same. There is no time schedule for grieving. 

Below you will find examples of significant loss.  

The musical superstar, John Lennon, is often credited with the adage: “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” Whether they’re plans, hopes, or expectations when those plans go awry, we feel a sense of loss, Death, divorce, retirement, addiction, financial trouble, unemployment, and aging are examples of significant loss, there are many. others. Often our response is to say “Hey, that’s life” or “It’s not that big of a deal.” Loss is personal and unique. If that loss is “a big deal,” is significant, then we experience grief, Remember, death is not the only life event that results in grief. For an expanded loss list or more information, please connect with us.

Seeking help to heal the pain of loss doesn’t mean your grief is abnormal or that you’re grieving wrong. As a certified Grief Recovery Specialist, l walk with you, supporting you, as you take the necessary steps to heal your broken heart.