Navigating Grief: Finding Light in the Darkness
Grief is a journey no one plans for, yet it’s one we all face at some point in our lives. It doesn’t follow a straight path or a predictable timeline—it’s more like a winding trail through an unfamiliar forest. Some days, the light breaks through the trees, and you can see a way forward. Other days, the shadows feel overwhelming, and the path disappears entirely. If you find yourself in that forest right now, I want you to know something: what you’re feeling is okay, it’s normal, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
You might have heard of the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2005). These stages can be a helpful framework to understand the emotions that come with loss. But grief isn’t a checklist to complete, and it doesn’t follow a neat, linear order. You might feel like you’ve reached acceptance, only to find yourself swept back into sadness or anger. That’s perfectly normal. Grief is unpredictable and deeply personal, and everyone’s experience is different (Neimeyer, 2001).
One of the most challenging aspects of grief is that it doesn’t truly end. Even years later, it can resurface. A song on the radio, the scent of a favorite meal, or a special anniversary can bring back a wave of emotions you thought you’d moved past. This doesn’t mean you’re back at square one; it means you’re human. Grief isn’t something to “get over”—it’s something we learn to carry with us, and those moments of resurfacing are a testament to the love and connection we shared with what we’ve lost (Worden, 2009).
Healing through grief doesn’t mean forgetting or “moving on.” Instead, it’s about finding a way to live alongside the loss while still cherishing the memories and love that remain. Sharing your feelings—whether it’s through writing, talking to a trusted friend, or opening up to someone who will listen without judgment—can be an essential part of this process. Grieving doesn’t have to be a solitary journey (Bonanno & Boerner, 2007). There is immense power in being heard and understood.
Sometimes, we need a little extra support to find our way through. Reaching out to someone who can provide a compassionate and safe space to explore these emotions can make all the difference. They can help you process the waves of grief, understand the emotions that arise, and develop tools to cope when the world feels unsteady. It’s not about fixing the pain but about learning to navigate it and finding a path that feels right for you (Smith, 2022).
Grief is not just about loss—it’s about love, connection, and the bonds that make us who we are. It reflects the depth of our relationships and the beauty of what we’ve experienced. Embracing the journey, in all its ups and downs, is a way of honoring that love. And along the way, it’s okay to seek support, to ask for help, and to give yourself the kindness you deserve.
Ready to begin your healing journey? Contact us today to schedule your first grief therapy session and find light in the darkness with personalized support. You don’t have to walk this path alone. There is hope and healing to be found, one step at a time.
References
Bonanno, G. A., & Boerner, K. (2007). The other side of sadness: What the new science of bereavement tells us about life after loss. Basic Books.
Kübler-Ross, E., & Kessler, D. (2005). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. Scribner.
Neimeyer, R. A. (2001). Meaning reconstruction & the experience of loss. American Psychological Association.
Smith, J. (2022). Understanding Grief: The Kübler-Ross Model. Journal of Human Emotions, 15(5), 34-39.
Worden, J. W. (2009). Grief counseling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner (4th ed.). Springer.