The Grieving Process
Understanding Your Journey Through Grief
Every person is unique in the way he or she handles the loss of a loved one. While the grieving process is different for each of us, we all experience some common feelings as we work toward healing from our loss.
Our responses to the different feelings that occur during the grieving process are often described as "stages." These stages are not tied down to "real time", and people do not necessarily move in and out of the stages in an orderly, straightforward manner.
Stages can last for minutes or hours. It is not unusual to move into and out of one stage and then to another, and cycle back again to the first one.
Denial
This initial stage helps us survive the loss. The world becomes meaningless and overwhelming. We go through each day wondering how we can go on.
Anger
Anger is necessary for healing. Be willing to feel your anger, even though it may seem endless. The more you truly feel it, the more it will begin to dissipate.
Bargaining
We become lost in a maze of 'If only...' or 'What if...' statements. We want life returned to what it was before the loss. Guilt is often bargaining's companion.
Depression
After bargaining, our attention moves squarely into the present. Empty feelings present themselves, and grief enters our lives on a deeper level.
Acceptance
Acceptance is not about being 'all right' with the loss. It is about accepting the reality that our loved one is physically gone and recognizing this new reality is permanent.
Remember: Grief is Personal
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Give yourself permission to feel whatever you're feeling. Healing takes time, and it's okay to seek help when you need it.