Grief
It doesn’t go away. It evolves as you face it.
You lost someone.
They died, but they never fully left you.
They are a part of who you are and how you exist in the world — the beautiful things about your relationship, the difficult things, the experience of losing them, and what it has been like to go on without them.
Because of this loss, you are operating on a different level than the people around you. You’re going through the motions of normal life, and you’re also wrestling with big things internally.
You may be experiencing:
Overwhelming sadness or tears bursting out when you aren’t prepared
Anger or bitterness toward others around you
Emotional numbness
Difficulty focusing on school/work or staying motivated in activities
Stress and conflict related to memorial services, estates, or sorting through belongings
Intense changes in family dynamics
Extra responsibilities at home
Complicated dynamics with loved ones who are grieving in different ways
Social awkwardness when the person you lost comes up in conversation
Bewilderment or frustration about why tragedy happens to some people rather than others
Therapy can give you a place to process everything. It doesn’t have to be about the person you lost every minute of every session - that can be overwhelming. Your therapy sessions can also be your space to process other stressors, and to strengthen the self-compassion and coping skills you need to keep you resilient as you grieve.