Things to remember when dealing with a loss
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be very difficult. And while it is an unfortunate fact of life that everyone will deal with grief at some point, everyone grieves in their unique way. Understanding that key fact is the first and most important in coping with grief.
One of the other most important aspects of coping with grief is being patient with yourself. There is no set timeline on how long it should take before you move through the grieving process. You should not expect to be over your loss in six months or a year or another specified amount of time. Coming to terms with your loss will take as long as it takes; try to avoid pressuring yourself to move on and get over it.
In addition to being patient with yourself, remember that you are not alone in your grief. You are not the first person to deal with grief and you will not be the last. While the way you move through your grief may be unique, coping with loss is not. Be sure to reach out and ask for help. Admit to your family and friends that you are struggling or having a hard time and allow them to help you. Talking about commonalities and sharing memories can be a very therapeutic course of action. Instead of refraining from talking about the person you have lost, talk about them and remember them fondly. Because someone is no longer living does not mean that you cannot talk about them or happily think of them.
If talking about the loss with your family and friends does not seem to be enough, consider meeting with a counselor. There is no shame in asking for help, and a professional counselor is a wonderful resource to use. He or she can help you safely and effectively process emotions and safely identify and acknowledge your feelings. The counselor may recommend additional courses of action as well.
One of these strategies may be group meetings. These types of meetings allow you to come together with other people dealing with similar issues and discuss them openly and safely. These types of group meetings can be a tremendous asset. They remind you that you are not alone, that your loss is significant, and that there is hope for a transition in the way you confront your loss. If you have lost a loved one, whether recently or years ago, be sure that you are finding healthy ways to deal with your grief. You do not have to act as though a person never existed or refrain from talking about them. You also do not have to work through your grief alone. Your family, friends, counselors, and support groups are available to you.