STUCK IN GRIEF
Jun 05, 2023
Is it possible to get stuck in grief?
Yes, I think it is.
Grief is energy. It is our reaction to the loss of someone we love. Many factors enter into how much it hurts, but let's just say that great love equals great loss.
This pain impacts every dimension of our being. Physical. Emotional. Spiritual. Mental. Relational.
It hits like a life quake. Basically, our whole world is turned upside down. The foundation shakes. Emotions erupt or shut down. Our body is stunned. And we feel it. Big time.
We function, but not at our best. Life goes on but we don't. We keep going back to yesterday, last week, last month, or last year.
And when we do, all of the pain is as fresh and powerful as though the loss happened seconds ago!
The energy is there. It just doesn't move. There isn't an outlet.
That's where mourning enters the picture. Mourning is when we create ways for the grief to move.
It can be expressed in many ways. To name a few, you can: Share your story, get outside, create a ritual, pray, meditate, or use art or crafts as an outlet for your pain.
It could be as simple as telling your story. Sharing it with a trusted friend. Yet, this may not be as easy as it sounds.
Here's the problem with this basic step. Not many people can be totally present, show up, listen, and not judge, criticize or tell you what to do. Well meaning friends or family members can cause more pain if we aren't aware.
Any of the following can happen when when we get stuck in grief!
- It can become complicated.
- The pain lasts longer.
- We lose our direction.
- Our energy drops.
- We waste our precious moments of life..
- Rather than heal, we hurt and give up hope.
None of these are pretty or attractive. Yet, they are real.
It's okay to feel them. You just don't want to stay there.
Rather than get stuck, there is a kind, compassionate, and supportive way of working through your grief. This is what a grief companion does. Walks with you. Listens to you. Offers support. Provides feedback.
Don't struggle. Don't waste another moment of your precious life. Don't do this grief journey alone!
