When I was 10 years old, I lost my mother to cancer, and I remember feeling like my world had stopped. My heart was broken and life seemed impossible without her.
Even as I type this sentence, almost 48 years later, I still get choked up by her memory.
For anyone who has ever lost a loved one, you know this feeling. It’s like all the colors become muted and you feel like you are walking around in a fog –A literal cloud of grief.
Losing a loved one, whether it is a family member, friend, or even a pet is called Bereavement Grief.
But this is not the only type of grief that can interrupt our daily lives, and suddenly put us into an emotional tailspin.
Relationship Grief occurs when a significant relationship ends. Whether it’s the dissolution of a marriage, the loss of a close friendship, or the separation from a long-term partner, relationship grief can be just as traumatic as someone passing away.
Life Transition Grief can happen when we lose a job or retire, move to a new city, or experience a sudden change in our health or financial situation. Such shifts disrupt our sense of stability, leaving us feeling lost and uncertain. Just like other forms of grief, this can create anxiety, stress, loss of appetite, insomnia, and depression.
In all forms of grief, it’s essential to acknowledge our pain and allow ourselves the time and space to heal.
The journey of grief is unique to the individual, and there is no right or wrong way to navigate it.
But one thing is certain, Grief is not linear.
You might feel fine at first, and then like a wave, it comes tumbling down on you at a later point. Or perhaps you experience a cascade of emotions at the beginning, and then you start to feel “normal” again, only to be knocked down by another wave when you least expect it.
Needless to say, soliciting family, friends, or professional counselors can often be very helpful during the grieving process.
With time and proper support, many people turn their pain into purpose. It might result in a shift of priorities, a new sense of self-awareness, or a discovery of creative expressions like music, art, or writing.
With time, our grief subsides, but when we use it to create a better understanding of ourselves, we can often help others too.
In today’s episode of The OverThinker’s Guide To Joy podcast, I interview New York Times bestselling authors, @marcandangel, on how they turned their grief into purpose. Their story is very inspirational, and you can listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
xo, Jackie
P.S. If you are grieving something in your life and would like help to navigate through it, let’s chat. You can book your free coaching consultation with me by clicking here.
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