Ugh! Grief is just one of those things that people find uncomfortable to talk about or even recognize. Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that's important to you and may come in waves but still allows you to find joy, appreciation and pleasures with everyday experiences in life.
Everyone encounters grief in various forms - whether it's from the loss of loved ones, parting ways with people you no longer resonate with, or mourning the person you used to be.
Grieving is a unique process for each individual, with no set time frame or prescribed method of how one "should" or should not process it. However, there are healthy ways to navigate and cope with this universal emotion so that it doesn't send you in a downward spiral or dark space where you no longer feel like yourself.
I've encountered grief in various forms and stages throughout my life with each experience hitting differently.
Losing my grandmother forced me to confront the fact that I had not yet fully healed or even begun to process the loss of my mother and my father. Having to endure another season of losing someone so close to me was very traumatic. I felt overwhelmed and disconnected from the world, so I retreated into my own cocoon to grieve in peace. Though I continued to show up to work and other commitments, I wasn't fully present and was emotionally exhausted. While this may not have been the healthiest course of action, it helped me in many ways to cope with my grief and begin the healing process.
This plant which I now call Sage was my grandma's plant it is one of the things that I have of her besides pictures, but it is truly a testament of how heavy I was in my grief when she first passed away compared to how much I am healing and flourishing now. I'm learning that grief never goes away it just gets better to manage.
It's also important to be gentle with yourself and recognize when you need support. Grief can be a long and difficult journey, and it's okay to reach out to friends, family, a professional or those you TRUST if you need help navigating it. It's also important to take care of yourself physically and emotionally during this time, whether that means taking time off work, getting enough rest, spending time alone or with people that make you feel safe, saying no or engaging in self-care activities.
It was through grief that I realized the importance of watering something in order for it to grow. I became closer to the God in me, learning how to water and nurture the parts of myself that I expected others to water. I actually found solace and peace during solitude, and I protect it at all costs now.
It's remarkable how our strength and fragility as children of God are exposed through life's trials, like grief. Everyone deals with intense emotions differently. For me, solitude, plants and gardening have been a source of comfort.
Engaging in activities that bring you joy and peace, whether it's through creative outlets like painting or writing, physical exercise like walking and dancing or spending time in nature, is extremely therapeutic and beneficial.
Practicing mindfulness, prayer and especially meditation can also help you stay grounded and present, allowing you to process your emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.
Creating practices to honor and remember what you've lost can be deeply healing too. This could be as simple as releasing balloons or setting aside time on special dates like birthdays to reflect and commemorate them.
It's important to be patient and compassionate with yourself. Grief is not a linear journey, and allowing yourself the grace to feel and heal at your own pace in your own way is a crucial part of the process. Remember grief is where Growth, Resilience & Inner-peace Emerges From
Praying for you...
Love
Trici Noel ❤️
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