The Many Faces of Grief: Navigating Loss with Resilience

Grief is a labyrinth of emotions, a terrain we all traverse at some point in our lives. But like any complex landscape, it has its distinct features. Let’s delve into the different types of grief, each with its own contours and challenges.

1. Healthy Grief

Description: Healthy grief is the raw, unfiltered response to loss. It’s the ache in your chest when you bid farewell to a loved one, the tears that flow freely during a memorial service. Healthy grief is the soul’s way of honouring what once was.

Navigating It: Allow yourself to feel. Lean into the pain. Grief isn’t linear; it’s a messy dance. Seek solace in shared stories and rituals.

2. Blocked Grief

Description: Imagine a dam holding back a river. Blocked grief is when we construct emotional dams to stifle our pain. We fear the flood, so we suppress it. But dams can crack, and when they do, the deluge is overwhelming.

Navigating It: Chip away at the dam. Write letters to the departed. Whisper secrets into the wind. Unblock the flow, and let grief trickle through the cracks. It is through understanding that grief is healthy and necessary that the blocks can start to shift.

3. Prolonged Grief

Description: Prolonged grief is the relentless companion. It overstays its welcome, setting up camp in our hearts. It’s when longing becomes a permanent resident, and joy feels like a distant memory.

Navigating It: Seek professional guidance. Prolonged grief isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a battle scar. Therapy, support groups, and self-compassion are your allies. Remember, healing takes time, but it’s possible.

4. Distorted Grief

Description: Distorted grief wears disguises. It masquerades as anger, addiction, or even numbness. We bury our sorrow beneath layers of distraction, hoping it’ll vanish. But grief is a relentless detective—it uncovers our hidden pain.

Navigating It: Peel back the layers. Acknowledge the grief beneath the anger. Confront the void masked by addiction. Seek clarity. Distorted grief thrives in shadows; bring it into the light.

Remember, grief isn’t a foe to conquer; it’s a companion to honour. Each type has its rhythm, its melody. Listen closely, and you’ll find the notes of resilience woven into the symphony of loss.

If you’re navigating grief, know this: You’re not alone. Reach out, share your story, and let others hold space for your pain. Together, we’ll find the path through the labyrinth.

This March 30th we will be facilitating a day retreat titled ‘Working with Grief’ at The Wave in Bristol, where we will explore the above in more detail. this day will encompass everything we do on our week long retreats but in one day including yoga, psycho-education workshop, surfing, group work, mindfulness and deep relaxation (NSDR).

Working with Grief @ The Wave - Bristol - March 30th 

Trauma Resolution Retreat - Morocco - April 13th to 20th 

Building Resilience Retreat - Morocco - June 15th to 22nd