Spring is a great time of year for new beginnings and shedding of old ways. In that process, sometimes old hurts resurface. Many times, a client will say “I just try not to think about it” or “I try to stay busy.” Grief is a funny animal that will not be ignored. It is idiosyncratic. You may grieve the loss of an animal or job in a more intense and completely different way than the loss of a loved one or relationship. We can get stuck in our idea of what grief should look like or how long it should last.
- It may feel that a job loss, identity loss or relocation is not worth the grief label.
- It is so disappointing to make it through that first year of a loss, only to find that you do not really feel much better.
Spending time with your grief and leaning into it a little can be a way OUT of pain. Therapy is a great way to explore all of the complex and seemingly opposing emotions that grief can bring up. Be patient, it will be done when it is done.