We all experience loss in our lives. It can be due to redundancy, relationship breakdowns, death, retirement, ill-health, relocating and many other life experiences. It is a natural human reaction to experience the pain of loss and grieve these losses, yet society often depicts otherwise. There does not need to be a funeral for someone to feel bereaved.
The grieving process is unique to every person, and we grieve each of our losses differently. It is dependant on what/who we've lost, what it/they meant to us and how the loss affects our lives and impacts our sense of identity.
It can feel like grief disrupts our entire life. Areas of life not associated with the loss, can be thrown into disarray. It can affect eating, sleeping, health and sexual behaviour as well as physical & mental energy.
Grief can feel intense, relentless and enduring. An emotional turbulence, of sadness, abandonment, confusion, despair, isolation, betrayal, regret, guilt, rejection, shame and anger. It can be mentally and emotionally exhausting as we are exerting a lot of energy trying to make sense of what has, is and will happen. Many people hate losing control over their emotions, feeling helpless, desperate, lost or dependant on others. It can feel like nothing will ever make us feel normal or whole again. Our identity and self-worth can be battered with thoughts of personal inadequacy, resulting in self-recrimination and we punish ourselves with emotional exile.
Facing the reality of the loss can feel too overwhelming. Vulnerability is not a weakness it is a fundamental part of being human. Talking can help acceptance of the loss and gain a new perspective of the past, present and future. Remember that the reality you face today is not permanent, reality is always changing.