Unpacking the Suitcase of Grief: A Journey, Not a Schedule

Grief and loss. Two heavy words that knock the wind out of you, leaving you gasping for air in a world tilted on its axis. It's a topic we tiptoe around, like fragile china in a cluttered room. Why? Because it's messy, unpredictable, and unique to each soul who carries it.

Fourteen years ago, I, a young woman and therapist in training, found myself face-to-face with this unwelcome guest when I lost my dad. Lost at sea, swept away by a wave too big to comprehend. My world unraveled, threads of routine and joy slipping through my fingers like sand. I donned the therapist persona, the rock for everyone else, while my own insides churned with a grief I tried to tuck away.

But here's the thing about grief: it isn't a one-size-fits-all cloak. It doesn't respect calendars or follow the neat five stages laid out by Kübler-Ross and Kessler. Some days, anger roars like a dragon, scorching everything in its path. Other days, denial wraps me in a fog, muffling the edges of reality. And acceptance? It's not a destination, but a fleeting butterfly I chase through meadows of remembrance.

Remember that time you tripped on a crack in the sidewalk, sending your bag of groceries flying? Grief is like that. You think you've walked this path, mastered the bumps, and then BAM! A wedding toast triggers a sob, or the scent of your grandma's perfume brings a wave of yearning. It's not a failure, it's a reminder that grief is a journey, not a schedule.

So, how do we pick up the scattered pieces of ourselves? Here's the good news: you're not alone. Reach out. Find a therapist who can hold your hand as you navigate the emotional labyrinth. Join a support group where shared stories create a tapestry of understanding. Write letters to your loved one, pour your heart onto paper and let it fly. Take walks in nature, let the wind carry your whispers into the trees. Prioritize sleep, for in its quiet embrace, healing often finds its wings.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. There will be bad days, moments when the weight of loss threatens to crush you. But remember, even the darkest night eventually gives way to dawn. You learn to carry the grief, not as a burden, but as a part of your story, a bittersweet reminder of the love that once filled your life.

So, dear reader, if you're grappling with your own suitcase of grief, know this: you are not alone. Embrace the journey, feel the waves of emotion, and let yourself heal, at your own pace, in your own way. There's no right or wrong, just the raw courage to keep walking, one step at a time, until the sun peeks through the clouds and you find yourself smiling, even with tears in your eyes.

#grief #griefjourney #loss #healing #mourning #bereavement #mentalhealth #selfcare #loveyouforever #neverforgotten #griefsupport #healingheart #hope #therapistlife #younggrief #dadloss #familyloss #unexpectedloss #lifeevents #triggers #acceptancejourney #stagesofgrief #nonlinearhealing