WHAT IS GRIEF

• Grief is a complex and multifaceted emotional response to the loss of a significant person, object, or relationship.
• Grief is a normal and healthy process that varies widely in intensity and duration among individuals.
• There is no timetable for feelings of pain after loss - and it is not possible to avoid suffering.
• Many emotions are involved in the grief process - guilt, shame, fear, confusion, loneliness, to name a few.
• Grief is not just about death - other life circumstances can cause grief: divorce, ill health, relationship difficulties, pet loss, financial loss, break up, etc.
• Grief encompasses the painful feelings of loss of a desired future or outcome.

• Healing is the release of unrelenting painful feelings.
• Healing is being comfortable talking about your loss.
• Healing is feeling occasional sadness about your loss.
• Healing is experiencing feelings of purpose, happiness, and enthusiasm for life.
• Healing is living a full life with a full range of emotions.
• Healing your grief is a journey worth taking.

• There is a "right" way to grieve.

                             Reality: grief is personal - some may cry, some may prefer solitude, some may seek social 

                             connection.

• Grief has a fixed timeline.

                             Reality: grief has no time frame. Some feel acute grief for a short time, while others struggle

                             much longer.

• Grief follows distinct stages.

                             Reality: despite the popular belief that grief has 5 distinct stages, this is not accurate - you

                             may skip stages or go through them in reverse order. Or they may not apply at all.

• If you keep their belonging or pictures, you're stuck.

                             Reality: as every loss is different, having the belongings or pictures can give comfort and

                             allow you time to adjust to their not being physically there.

• The first year is the hardest.

                             Reality: each phase of grief offers its own challenges. Thinking the first year is the hardest

                             may cause you to think that you should be over it after a year.  

• Time heals all wounds.

                             Reality: Time is an element of healing - but it is what we do with the time that helps us

                             heal.

• Moving on is a betrayal of the deceased.

                             Reality: after a loss, some feel they can't allow themselves to be happy. Going on with life

                             and seeking happiness does not mean you have forgotten or stopped loving the person

                             you lost. It's OK to move forward at the speed that feels right for you.