When we love someone—or something—so dearly, their loss and absence creates a ripple effect throughout every part of our being. And despite how natural and common loss is, knowing this does nothing to lessen its impact. We still end up feeling lost, alone, and often misunderstood.

Grief can take many forms.

Often times, we think of grief as it relates to the loss of a loved one. While that’s certainly a common experience of many people, there are several other types of change that can result in grief.

Other common causes of grief include:

·       Divorce

·       Children growing up or leaving home

·       Difficulty getting pregnant

·       Medical diagnosis

·       Loss of a job

·       Major life change

Any change large or small can stimulate feelings of grief. Simply, grief is everywhere and, unfortunately, some of us get stuck living in the past while others have great anxiety about the future.

Ultimately, grief can get in the way of living in the present moment and making the best of it. The more adaptable we are to the constant changes that are sometimes out of our control, the better we can accept and incorporate them in the present moment.

Understanding what triggers your feelings of grief is key.

While we cannot control the circumstances that may cause us to feel grief, we can identify, understand and find healthy ways of dealing with our triggers.

A grief trigger is anything that brings up memories related to a loss. Triggers may be obvious and easy to anticipate – like a birthday or a holiday – or they may be surprising – like spotting someone who looks like your loved one in a crowd. A grief trigger might tie to an obvious memory or emotion or it may be something that flashes into consciousness and merely leaves you with a sense of sadness and yearning.

You may find yourself questioning “Is this normal?” or “Am I grieving enough?” or “Am I grieving too much?” The simple answer is: there is no right or wrong way to grieve.

Things can get better.

Therapy provides you with a compassionate space where you can let go and share your story with someone who can provide you with unbiased support. A qualified mental health professional can help you process all the different aspects of your loss while developing strategies for functioning on a daily basis as you heal. In time, you can gain control over emotional triggers and learn to cope with your grief in a way that promotes greater healing and peace.

At Thrive Postpartum, Couples and Family Therapy, we want to help you work through your grief. Our therapists are available seven days a week. To schedule an appointment, our team can be reached by text or phone at 224-698-9792. Alternatively you can also schedule an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you.