Bereavement is the time we spend adjusting to loss. There is no right or wrong way to feel during the bereavement period – everyone copes in their own way.
Grief, although normal, can manifest in unexpected ways. Some people get angry, some people withdraw into themselves and some people become completely numb. Sometimes, grief can trigger mental health conditions, like depression.
Bereavement is accepting what happened, learning to adjust to life without that person, and finding a place to keep their memory alive while you try to get along as best you can.
To live with what we lost, this may be a person, a pet or loss of an item that you hold dear in memory. A significant change has occurred in your life. The person is not there anymore.
We all react differently to such a change. Different cultures or surroundings may not permit us to express our feelings. You may feel anger, shame, loneliness, and not coping with your daily tasks or work.
You are not alone. Give yourself time to heal.
Person-centred counselling is there to give you time and a person who will understand and listen to you without any judgment and prejudice.
Talking about the loss often allows a person to adjust to their new life with all its changes – good and bad. Keeping things bottled up or denying the sadness could prolong the pain. Any loss has to be acknowledged for us to move forward.
