Unfortunately, hard times touch all of us at some point in our lives. Such times can indeed be as much a part of the human experience as eating, drinking, and breathing.
In fact, I heard someone once say that most of us are either going through something, have gone through something, or are getting ready to go through something.
Having experienced a good deal of hardship in my own life, I know that when you are in the midst of the storm, it feels as if nothing can lift your spirits and pick you up.
But, the good news is, there are certain things you can do to help you move on. And you must. If not, you likely will remain stuck and could hold onto your grief forever.
The Stages of Grief
It doesn't matter what tragedy has happened in your life, grief tends to follow a certain sequence of stages.
Denial. In the initial shock of a tragic situation, your first reaction might be to deny that it even happened. At the time, it's simply a way for you to avoid the pain.
Depending on the situation this stage can last from moments to weeks. However, staying here is detrimental since you're not facing or accepting what has happened.
Guilt. Guilt is usually part of grief even if you have no reason to feel guilty. When you look at a situation after it's occurred, it's easy to point out the things you "should have done."
Take the time to feel the pain if you must, but do not remain stuck here. Learn what you need to and then move beyond this stage. No good can come from remaining here.
Anger. It's usually not long before the anger sets in once you realize you have no control over what's happened, and there's nothing you can do to erase the tragic situation.
It's important to feel your anger, but at the same time you must not allow yourself to be controlled by it. You don't want to cause lasting damage to yourself or someone else.
Depression. While you may not feel like talking about things, it's important to do so. Whether it be with a friend, relative, etc., find someone in which you can confide.
You can discover a lot of things about yourself during this self-reflective time, which is why it's such an important part of the grieving process.
Things Get Better. Eventually, you'll notice that your life and outlook are beginning to improve. You may not be back to yourself quite yet, but you're starting to feel better.
It's important to keep your lines of communication open and remember that your loved ones want you to have a long, happy, and healthy life.
Acceptance. This is the last stage. This is where you have truly accepted what has passed and you now feel hope for the future.
Although things may have changed, your life is feeling back to normal otherwise. And, having gone through what you have, you're now stronger as a result.
If You Feel Stuck
It's not uncommon to feel stuck in a certain stage of grief. This is especially true when it comes to depression. The best thing you can do is to keep trying.
However, if you feel like you need it, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Therapists can help you with your situation and may have some strategies to help you move forward.
Well, that's it for now. As aIways, I hope that you find this information useful and it helps you to go as far as you want in life..."No Matter What!"
Until next time...
Keep reaching,
Jay
P.S. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post. Please take a moment and comment below. Thanks!
