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YOU ARE NOT ALONE

The Grieving Process

Every person is unique in the way he or she handles the loss of a loved one. While the grieving process is different for each of us, we all experience some common feelings as we work toward healing from our loss.

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Stage 1

Denial

When you find yourself in the phase of denial, it is easy to be consumed by false ideations about the reality of a situation. Pushing your worries aside and ignoring the tragedy is a part of the process and can actually be an effective way to grieve. Denial lets you take in the amounts you are capable of handling at the time. Eventually, accepting the reality of the situation begins to come clear, and you slowly begin the healing process. The denial begins to fade and your feelings begin to reach the surface.

Stage 2

Anger

There comes a time when you may feel resentment and anger. You have now entered the second stage of grief. You search for someone or something to blame, whether it be yourself, God, the physician, or even the person who passed away for abandoning you. Do not feel isolated when having these thoughts, these feelings are completely normal and happen very often when dealing with grief.

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Stage 3

Bargaining

There comes a time when you may feel guilty for the persons passing. You tell yourself that there could have been something done to prevent it from happening, something that you could have done. You may try to pray for a trade off of some kind, negotiating with God. Don't be consumed by the "if onlys" or any theoretical situations, this will only make you feel more guilt. Try to have an open mind, begin to understand the situation in a logical and accepting way.

Stage 4

Depression

There will most likely be a period where you feel empty inside. This is the state of depression. This stage may feel like it will never end, and the pain will last forever. Struggling to wonder if it is worth going on in life, questioning life itself. You must understand that depression is the most common coping mechanism for loss. To not feel depressed after losing someone you care about would be unusual. Accepting that your loved one will not be coming back is a very difficult concept to understand, you must be strong and push forward.

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Stage 5

Acceptance

Accepting the loss of a loved one is often mistaken for feeling "completely fine" or "alright." In reality, it means coming to terms with their absence and adapting to a world without them. This transition can be deeply uncomfortable, and you may try to live as if nothing has changed. Over time, acceptance helps you readjust, but finding peace again can feel like a betrayal. While you can never replace what was lost, you can seek new connections and experiences. Growth, change, and moving forward are natural, but grieving must take its course.