Weekly Prompt #11: What are some things you wish people understood about your grief?
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Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things anyone can go through. Whether you're dealing with the loss of a loved one, a pet, or even a job, it's important to acknowledge and work through your grief.
This week's prompt is: What are some things you wish people understood about your grief?
Remember, grief is a deeply personal experience and there's no "right" way to go through it. Share your thoughts with us.
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I wish they would understand that grief comes in waves. Even on good days, trivial things can remind you of your loss and the heart will be heavy again. No amount of advice can heal grief. Only attentive listening and time can.
I hope you are all well.
@brightPenguin4569 Grief takes time and the waves of emotions can feel overwhelming at times. Please know we are all here with you to listen to and support. Please take your time to share anything and everything you feel comfortable to.
@ASilentObserver
Ob's I don't know how to post in the forum . A friend in sharing circle recently lost her dog Daisy.
She was a support dog and much loved.
I'd like to post this in honor of her passing . Also to all support dogs. And animals who are our friends. Our hearts our children.This is daisy.
She was the pet of a good friend.
@ASilentObserver I wish people understood that grief isn't just about the death or loss of the physical person... but also about missing out on all the "what ifs" and losing out of making new memories. The what could have been.
My condolences *and hugs* to anyone who is experiencing grief of any kind right now. May we all heal. ♡
@ASilentObserver
That complete recovery and healing isn't always reached. That even after years and years, triggers can still prop up. That people process grief differently, cope differently and the time to be able to not be as affected differs too. It's not a one case fits all.
I wish people could understand that I smile through the pain to keep them from crying. I wish they could understand that I don’t get to grieve until everyone else is done. But the day my brothers died I haven’t been able to be that strong again for anyone. I haven’t been able to really smile since the day my nana died. I actually cry now and I actually show my pain. I need help. I wish they could actually see me instead of the me they think that I am. See me as I really grieve.
@LostQueenOfIsrael Oohhhh, how I felt your words deep in my heart as I read your comment. You know that tingle your heart feels as you try not to blink to hold back your tears. I'm so truly sorry for your loss. I deal with my own grief in silent as my way of trying to be strong and though have lost several loved ones, I can never understand the pain you feel. I know we all hurt and grief differently and it's heartbreaking the pain you feel. I do have to say I'm proud of you and happy that you are able to actually feel now and show that grief in what way helps for you. For me, I write letters to my loved one in heaven. I know he won't read it but, strangely, it helps me cope. I still do it years later though. In what ways have you tried to cope with your pain and grief? Do you find anything that is able to help you move forward to the next day easier? I hope you always cherish your memories of your brother's, Nana, and anyone else you may have lost. Hold into those memories and I hope it will find you some healing. ♡
I take walks and have a talk to them almost everyday. We all took walks when things stressed us out but now I do it to feel closer to them. I may look crazy to all that see me but I don’t care. They help me continue living when they were alive and I’ll do anything to live for them. I know they would be proud of me for being able to continue even though the pain is excruciating. Everyday it gets a little bit better. I don’t cry as often and I actually eat. I continue life as normal even though they are gone but always take time out to talk to them and myself.
@ASilentObserver Mental and emotional health really do benefit a lot from concentration on our accomplishments and our talents. I think we can also increase our confidence though feeling more content with the work that we have done. Even though sometimes, we're not happy with out work, but we should still be proud that we've done and and give it our all!
Nothing. To "wish people understood" anything about me or what I go through is a waste of effort & time. I've lived long enough, been in a few different places, & dealt with a sufficient number & variety of people to know that most of humanity lacks sufficient attention span (to say nothing of basic language comprehension--not everyone speaks English fluently) to listen to whatever I would otherwise tell them about my trials & travails.
@ASilentObserver
"What are some things you wish people understood about your grief?"
For starters, as stated "... grief is a deeply personal experience ..."
Context, Parents are deceased. In-law parents deceased. Many ole ole friends are deceased.
While I do not completely understand and also have issues processing ...
I don't think I experienced grief. But maybe I have and just didn't know it was "grief"
in the case of recent experience with spouse
I think ...
I think, I am ok with having one person near. Someone to be there, not to talk to or be comforted by. Not interested in such things, if anything it would probably make me angry.
I theorize when the time comes, I might need help making a proper\sound decisions. Like eating and sleeping.
@Barltik2065 Grief is different for everyone. I hear you've experienced many losses and each one affects us in our own way. How have you coped with these difficult losses so far? Please know you're not alone in walking this journey. <3
@ASilentObserver
I enjoy anonymity, it gives me the ability to express...
"How have you coped with these difficult losses so far?"
I do not know how to answer that. It is a great question.
The Loss is known. I am not running or hiding from it. But I also not sure if I am processing. And if I am processing it ... Am I missing a connection from the process to whatever output there is to be?
Hi, thanks for this question. This is something I’ve really been thinking about, not necessary with grief but with the internal experience and I believe it easily lends itself to grief as well.
It stems from the feedback I seem to get sometime when I share my experience. Many times people who have had very different lives than me want to make it seem like what I went through was nothing compared to their experience. Because of the body I was given, it would appear that I have certain “privileges”. This is a very destructive idea. And also my raising in a somewhat stable household also leads people to think I don’t know anything about suffering. My mother used to call me a good actress when I would cry and be upset so instead of love and understanding, I got ridiculed and called a liar. So maybe this has been long standing.
In any case, what I wish people knew about my grief or anyone else’s for that matter is that you don’t know my trajectory. My inner trajectory. The path that my soul has been on or even the path I’ve had in this life. From the outside you can’t see where I’ve started, where my values are, or where I aspire or am meant to be. So something that seems so minuscule to you could be absolutely crushing to who I am on the inside.
We are all flashes of light in this pan called life. And you never know when someone’s light is going to go out or burn bright as day and light the world. So that’s my piece: you don’t know my inner trajectory. 💫
Grief isn't one fits all kind of thing........ It's not the same experience for everyone in how you feel and handle it! I've had my fair share of Grief myself in the last few years it doesn't come easy and it hurts very much and painful! ❤❤❤❤❤
Thereis no wrong way to grieve or process the loss it comes in waves and it's just love for that person that has no where to go just oozes out of you!!! All you can really do is take one day at a time and be gentle with yourself and feel your heart and mind and emotions ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Don't ever bottle up your emotions!! Let it out
@LovelyFrog8934 Grieving is a very personal process. I'm glad you shared your thoughts and experience with grief. It sounds like a difficult journey with many emotions. How have you found support helps you the most during this time?
I find reaching out to others and talking through my feelings and thoughts and emotions help me ❤
I also feel that distraction is a helpful way to cope as well too like possibly doing things that you and your loved ones enjoyed doing in their memory like a place or activity that they loved or making their favorite meals or desserts 😁
Grief is very personal indeed in agree! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤