Death is an occurrence not one of us can escape. It is as commonplace as any life milestone such as birth, graduating from school, getting a first job, or retiring. Despite it being so normal, losing someone to death causes an emotional response so jarring and sometimes debilitating that our world feels undone. This emotional response is what we call grief.
My own grief experience brought me to working in hospice for three years. I had the privilege to assist individuals and their families navigate the end of life as well as helping bereaved families afterwards. It was an honor to walk with people in their final days.
Non-death loss can also cause extreme feelings of distress. Some examples of this type of loss may include divorce, moving, breakups, medical/mental health diagnoses, infertility, grieving someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, etc. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have experienced loss. Whether it was a loss of a loved one, a job, plans, or the loss of our everyday routine life. Grieving the loss you experienced is valid and together we can work to make meaning of the loss.
Moon Rabbit Counseling, PLLC