Working with Loss and Grief

Grief can be associated with many forms of loss such as bereavement, divorce or changes in our lives that are sometimes planned or unexpected. The process of grieving can be one that affects all of us at some point in our lives and can be experienced differently for each of us. Talking to someone can help support the understanding of the processes of grief and loss. Often when we know someone that dies who is close to us it may be hard to talk to our family and friends as they may also be going through their own grieving. We may find we do not want to upset them so keep how we are feeling to ourselves and internalise our feelings. Meeting with a counsellor or therapist allows a safe and unjudgmental space to express how you are feeling. All feelings are valid and there is no right or wrong way to mourn.

As J. William Worden’s states in his proposed 4 task of mourning The first is to accept the reality of the loss. Second to process the pain of grief. Third to Adjust to a world without the deceased. And forth to find ways to remember the deceased while embarking on the rest of one’s journey in life.

If we look grief and loss as a flower. Our loss can be represented by the middle part of the flower. It is always with us. The petals represent the new experiences, changes and events we gather in our future lives. They surround our grief and helps to build new memories that allow us to exist in the presence of our loss.