Grief Looks Different For Everyone

Our society often views grief in restrictive conditions, such that most people think there are only specific circumstances where grief is “appropriate.” For instance, many people have the understanding that grief is only reserved for a loved one’s passing; however, grief is a complex emotion, such that it can be experienced in a range of situations. Grief might even be difficult to explain or understand for many people.

You might experience grief over:

  • Losing an opportunity
  • Losing abilities
  • A transitional period of life
  • Realizing a relationship will not change
  • Accepting limitations
  • Or other scenarios that are rooted in loss or difficult terms to acknowledge and accept

Grief can also manifest in some of the following ways:

  • Anger
  • Sadness or other depressive symptoms
  • Overwhelm
  • Frustration
  • Relationship struggles

Grief is also non-linear. What this means is that it is common and expected for us to experience grief in stages with ranges of emotions (denial, anger, sadness, acceptance, etc.) where we often vacillate between the stages rather than moving through them in a perfect, straight line. Additionally, we might work through a grieving period and then re-experience feelings of grief at a later time when reminded or triggered of the event or experience. This is often difficult for us to understand, because our brains prefer organization and anticipation.

At New Leaf we are here to help you address and work through grief in a way that feels supportive, grounded, and accepting. We will hold space for the growth and self-understanding that often comes from processing grief, ensuring that you feel safe while discussing difficult topics. Knowing that relationships are the vehicle we use to heal, we may provide additional referrals to community resources, such as grief groups specific to your experiences. If you live in the Ventura or Los Angeles County area and believe you or a loved one is experiencing grief, please contact us to learn more about the ways we can provide support.

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