10 Important Things To Know About the Grieving Process
Even when you have anticipated it for some time, grief is always a complicated experience. You will experience things while grieving that will never be repeated at any other time of your life, from awful loneliness and longing to absolute joy and love as you remember. There is no easy guide to the grieving process, but certain things are helpful to keep in mind as you navigate this difficult journey. 10 Things to Know about the Grieving Process There are no stages to grief For a long time, people were taught that there were five stages to grief, namely shock, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While many people do go through many of these stages, grief is not a linear process. We might feel angry and depressed simultaneously for weeks, or cycle through these stages in a jumbled order for months. Grief is a complicated, messy process that is unique for everyone. It only gets more difficult when you try to apply stages to it. Grief can be exhausting Grief can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining to go through. From practical logistics during and after the funeral, to questions about life, death, and beyond, grief touches every aspect of your life. It demands that you engage in it with your body, emotions, and mind. Grief is not for the faint of heart, and yet that is exactly the state we are in during grief. Memories are a double-edged sword Many people shy away from thinking about the loved one they lost because the memories can be painful. On the other hand, memories keep them alive, if only in your heart. It can be hard to allow yourself to reminisce, and it can be equally difficult to stop thinking about them once you’ve started. There is no easy answer [...]
