Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom. – Rumi
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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, I want to begin the sensitive discussion about grief. One thing that I’ve learned since losing my mother in 2015, there is no right or wrong way to deal with grief. Grieving is a personal process unique to the individual experiencing it. For example, some may cry, some may feel empty inside, and others may experience anger.
Coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s biggest challenges. Even though you may associate grieving with the death of a loved one, there are many other losses that may occur in one’s life that may cause grief, pain, and heartache, such as:
- Divorce or relationship breakup
- Loss of health
- Losing a job
- Loss of financial stability
- A miscarriage
- Retirement
- Death of a pet
- Loss of a cherished dream
- A loved one’s serious illness
- Loss of a friendship
- Loss of safety after a trauma
THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF
No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief. – Faraaz Kazi
A psychiatrist by the name of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross introduced the “five stages of grief.” These stages of grief were based on her studies of the feelings of patients facing terminal illness, but many people have generalized them to other types of negative life changes and losses, such as the death of a loved one or relationship breakup.
Here’s the five stages of grief:
#1 – Denial – “This can’t be happening to me.”
#2 – Anger – “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”
#3 – Bargaining – “Make this not happen, and in return I will _______.”
#4 – Depression – “I’m too sad to do anything.”
#5 – Acceptance – “I’m at peace with what happened.”
Although experiencing grief is natural, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with grief.
9 HEALTHY WAYS TO COPE WITH GRIEF
When the heart grieves, the soul makes a promise. Love will never leave you. – Angie Weiland-Crosby
Despite all of the mixed emotions you feel while grieving, there are healthy ways to cope with the pain, come to terms with your grief, and eventually, find a way to pick up the pieces and move on with your life. Let’s discuss a few of them now.
#1 – Express your grief – Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your pain whether verbal or in written form, but keep in mind that grief can trigger many unexpected emotions at any given time.
#2 – Be gentle with yourself – Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you and help you move forward in life.
#3 – Exercise daily – It’s important to exercise each day even if this means setting small goals for yourself. Exercise helps boost your mood naturally.
#4 – Set a regular sleep schedule – Be sure to create a nighttime routine to help prepare for a full night’s sleep to keep your mind and body healthy.
#5 – Pace yourself – Don’t overbook your schedule or make too many commitments. Allow yourself extra time to rest and process all that is happening in your life.
#6 – Surround yourself with supportive people – Seek out family and friends who accept your grief and care about you.
#7 – Keep a journal – Keeping a journal of personal experiences is one of the most important things you can do to assist in moving through your grief.
#8 – Make a list of goals or activities each day – Create a daily list of goals or activities that need to be done to help you stay on track.
#9 – Seek professional help from your doctor or grief counselor – It may help to speak to your doctor or a grief counselor so you will not fall into depression.
GRIEF AFFIRMATIONS
There is no pushing through. But rather, there is absorption. Adjustment. Acceptance. And grief is not something you complete, but rather, you endure. Grief is not a task to finish and move on, but an element of yourself – an alteration of your being. A new way of seeing. A new definition of self. – Gwen Flowers
Grief affirmations may offer you hope when you feel there is none left. Grief affirmations can help shift your mindset in a positive direction. Take a moment each day to recite the following grief affirmations with confidence. Then, you’ll watch your life change right before your eyes.
- No matter what you say, I know my grief matters.
- I am strong because of what I have been through.
- I heal with curiosity, presence, and hope.
- Grief gives me wings with which I spread love.
- I am always healing, and never alone.
- My life is a celebration of their life.
- Grief is a call for me to wake up and live, and love, even more.
GRIEF RESOURCES
The irony of grief is that the person that you need to talk to about how you feel is the person who is no longer here. – Unknown Author
Journey from Grief to Healing Facebook Group I’ve created a safe place for us to express grief so we can encourage and support one another.
BOOKS
On Life after Death, revised – Elizabeth Kubler-Ross MD
Afterlife Encounters: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Experiences – Dianne Arcangel
Testimony of Light: An Extraordinary Message of Light After Death – Helen Greaves
Messages and Miracles: Extraordinary Experiences of the Bereaved – Louis LaGrand PhD
Where Two Worlds Meet – Janet Nohavec
ONLINE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS
JOURNAL PROMPTS
Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey and be patient with yourself. Ready, set, write!
- How do you define grief?
- Who or what does your support system include?
- What do you wish your family and friends would say to you?
- When is the hardest time of day for you?
- Which season holds the most memories?
- What triggers your grief when you’re alone?
- What is your fondest memory of your loved one?
- How do you describe the pain you feel when you’re grieving?
- Do you struggle with grief around the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.? If so, how do you cope with it?
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS
Coping with grief can be hard to deal with. How do you cope with grief? Which affirmations do you need the most today? Do you write in a journal to cope with grief? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
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