12/31/2021
The loss of a loved one, not just during the holiday season is traumatic for us all. We all grieve differently and that is an important thing to remember. Elizabeth Kublar Ross discovered that in grief there are five recognizable stages of grief; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. Now you would think that if you go through these, it would be in order and work like a check list-to be completed and then you are done. Well that is definately not true. We can go through these stages, out of order and more than once. Loss is not something that we experience simply. Depending on the relationship we had with our loved one. The important thing to remember is that you must experience the grief and not hide it under things like substance abuse or not talking about it. What will happen then simply is that grief always finds a way to come out-even if it is years later. Below are some tips to help:
*Journal writing
*Creating new traditions
*Find ways to honor your loved one
*Find a Grief counselor
*Realizing your not alone-their are grief support groups in person and online.
We are never done grieving. We simply learn to experience life and create new memories on top of our grief. It never goes away-our only choice is to take one step at a time. Take care of ourselves and do what we have to do to heal. The final stage and it has been added to the five stages of greif is "Finding Meaning". This for some may mean creating something out of your grief and pain. This would be invidivual for each of us.
Some online Support groups-
Grieving.com
Grief In Common
Healgrief (Actively Moving Forward)
Hope Again
Grief Anonymous
