Over the course of a lifetime, people have to find ways to cope with grief. People grieve in different ways and over different things. Some mourn the past or the money they once had. These things pale in comparison to the loss of a loved one.
When we lose someone, we love, be it a child, spouse or even a pet it seems like we will never find joy again. The loss of a loved one changes your life forever. This kind of loss can wound your soul causing some people spend years of their lives mourning those who they have lost. This causes grief to become a way of life. This kind of grief can stop a positive flow of life force.
When this flow of positive energy stops, it is easy to get stuck in a place where you seem to be incapable of feeling happiness.
It’s impossible to stop grieving in an instant and just as many people grieve over different things, they grieve in different ways. It is hard for people around the grieving survivor because they see the change in the person, and they want to help heal the loss.
The grief lessens when the person starts healing. It isn’t wrong or unfeeling to want to recover; it is only human to grow and feel better.
Complicated Grief
A complicated grief happens where the mourning doesn’t fade and instead evolves into a sensation of heightened pain. This pain manifests itself when one focuses on the pain and sorrow of loss rather than gratitude for knowing the loved one. Focusing only on the death of the person and forming and extreme attachment to the belongings of the loved one leads to a persistent longing and even denial of the death.
This can keep the survivor from enjoying life. There are ways that someone experiencing this can be healed. Here’s how:
The first step to moving on is to believe that you can be healed. Recognizing that you have a constant need for the one you have lost is a step towards healing. Instead of following your instinct to isolate yourself, reach out to friends or family.
If you continue to feel this grief is becoming a danger, consult a doctor or a grief support group. If you are feeling suicidal, call a suicide hotline number. In the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) where you can reach trained and helpful counselors.
Do not be afraid to express your feelings. You may need help to process these feelings. You can express your feelings in a variety of ways. You can talk to someone or draw or write in a journal.
Feelings need to be expressed in a healthy way so that the grief can be let go so they can begin to heal. This can lead to growth as an individual especially if you give yourself time to go through this challenge.
The article touches on an incredibly important aspect of human life—grief. The complexity and depth of our emotions when losing a loved one can’t be overstated. It’s comforting to see actionable steps included for those who may be suffering from complicated grief. This is a compassionate and thoughtful piece.
Oh really, all we need to do is journal our feelings and it’ll all be fine? If only life were that simple! Next, you’ll tell me to just ‘cheer up’ and all my problems will disappear. This article is a bit too simplistic for the gravity of the topic.
Ah, the age-old wisdom of ‘reach out to friends and family’—groundbreaking advice indeed! Because when you’re drowning in grief, it’s just so easy to pick up the phone and chat about your feelings. Sarcasm aside, the article’s heart is in the right place, but it feels a bit out of touch with the realities of deep human suffering.
I found the section about complicated grief to be quite informative. It helps to differentiate between normal grief and a more chronic state of mourning, which could benefit from professional help. This is crucial information for those who might not recognize that they need assistance.
While the article provides a well-intentioned guide, it simplifies the varying degrees and complexities of human emotion. Grief isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario and suggesting that a few steps could resolve someone’s deep emotional pain seems overly optimistic and somewhat dismissive.