Grief

What it is:

Grief is one of life's great changers. It's the process of learning to breathe when all oxygen has been removed. It's painful, panic-inducing and yet, somehow humanity's ability to adapt is astonishing. Grief is not only about death. It can include the loss of relationships, identity, health, pregnancy, dreams, or a former version of yourself. The grieving process can be long and unpredictable. It's important to remember that you don't have to grieve alone. You don't have to wait until it becomes too bad before you ask for help. Humans are not meant to grieve alone.

How to know if you need support:

• You feel stuck in emotion or numbness.
• You avoid reminders of the loss at all costs.
• You feel alone in your experience.
• Others expect you to be "over it" by now.

How you'll know it's getting better:

• The pain feels less overwhelming.
• You can remember without being flooded by emotion.
• You can hold both sadness and meaning.
• You begin to rebuild around the loss.