National Grief Awareness Week – Growing with grief
Today marks #NationalGriefAwarenessWeek, a crucial time to acknowledge the profound, often bewildering journey of loss. Losing a loved one is undeniably painful and one of the toughest things you might experience in your life.
This year’s theme, “Growing with grief”, championed by The Good Grief Trust, offers a powerful shift in perspective. It moves us away from simply trying to “get over” loss and encourages us to find ways to integrate the memory of our loved ones into our continued lives.
Your grief is valid
As emotional creatures, everyone expresses and copes with their grief differently, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is normal to go through all the recognised stages of grief, such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These are natural, human responses to a shattering experience.
However, we must be mindful that keeping your grief in a “box” could have a negative effect on your well-being in the long term. Don’t suffer alone.
The power of sharing
Seeking support is not shameful and you will be surprised how many people can help you through this tough time. Don’t be afraid to express your emotions and talk about your loss with family, friends, colleagues or even dedicated support groups. Everyone has faced loss at some point in their lives and sharing experiences can significantly help you cope better with grief.
Be mindful that grief is a slow process and won’t disappear in a second and that’s okay.
Growing around the loss
The idea of “growing with grief” isn’t about reaching a point where the pain disappears; it’s about acknowledging that the experience of loss changes you. We all continue to carry the legacy of our loved ones who are not among us anymore, and in doing so, we can find a renewed sense of purpose, compassion and meaning. We learn to build our lives around the pain, allowing their memory to motivate us and shape our future without them. Here are just a few examples of ways to remember loved ones:
- Plant a memory garden or tree
- Create a memory box
- Practice an act of service or kindness, e.g., volunteer for a cause they care about, make a donation in their name or perform random acts of kindness on their birthday or anniversary of their passing.
- Cook their favourite meal or recipe and share with family and friends
- Continue a loved tradition
If you are struggling and need help finding resources, support or connection, The Good Grief Trust is a valuable bereavement platform. It’s a place where you can connect with people with similar experiences or simply find support and advice.
To learn more about the theme and the resources available, you can visit the National Grief Awareness Week page.
