Twenty Things You Can Expect from Grief

 Grief is such a personal journey. We each have our own style and way of processing it. So, it is impossible to say anyone will have all of these. Because grief does impact us physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially, here is a list of common ones that others have described. 

• Shock and disbelief
• Denial
• Anger
• Guilt
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Physical symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and weight changes
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Forgetfulness
• Irritability or agitation
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Feeling disconnected from others or the world around you
• A sense of emptiness or numbness
• Preoccupation with the deceased person or the circumstances of their death
• Searching for meaning or purpose in life after the loss
• Questioning your religious or spiritual beliefs
• Feeling like life will never be the same again

I share this list not to define what may show up in your world as much as to say, "It's okay, this is natural and normal." There isn't anything wrong with you. This isn't a mental health issue or physical diagnosis. This is grief being displayed in its many shapes and emotions.