Losing a loved one is nothing short of devastating, but there is a lot of good to focus on during this time, which can help you come to terms with the loss. First, take this opportunity to learn a greater compassion for others (and thyself)—recognize their struggles, and also observe how one can come out stronger, more resilient post-struggle. Also, understand that your degree of grief is a direct reflection of your love for the person you’ve lost—honor your relationship and smile upon all of the good they’ve brought you. This is also the perfect opportunity to focus on gratitude: remember the influence your loved one had on your life and be thankful for the memories you shared with them. Finally, truly appreciate and live your life again; as you never know when your last day will be, so you have to make every single moment count. As a Clinical Psychologist who often works with people suffering the loss of a loved one, I have seen that one of the most important things to learn from such a loss is compassion—for self and for others who have gone through or are going through their own mourning process. So often people think they and/or others are supposed to just “snap out of it” after the funeral or after a few weeks or whatever timeframe each person thinks is “right,” “normal,” or “strong”. But we can learn the fact that being strong as a human is actually about the ability to go through a very difficult time, sometimes over what feels like an eternity, and come out on the other side more resilient, more peaceful, and more understanding of ourselves and others. It is also very important for people to understand that the degree of grief they are experiencing is usually directly proportionate to the degree of love felt for and the importance of the departed one in our lives. During this time (and beyond), if we open ourselves, we can come to see the many positive, loving contributions the person made in our life. And we can embrace that understanding with not only sadness, but with gratitude, for those contributions. Focusing on the gratitude helps to alleviate the emotional pain of loss over time as we realize that in terms of their influence on our lives, they will always be with us. Many people, when they begin to embrace the gratitude, also begin to feel the energy of the departed one continuing to surround them with love and support. Whatever one believes about the afterlife, those feelings of love and support in the mourning person(s) are very real. We can also learn that every moment of our life matters as we never know for sure how much longer we have in this existence. This realization can motivate us to choose to live a life of positivity, fulfillment, and appreciation for still being alive. It can also motivate us to search for and commit ourselves to higher meaning in our lives. There is a phenomenon referred to in psychological literature as “posttraumatic growth” or “benefit finding” in the wake of tragedy, which in numerous studies has been associated with decreased sadness, enhanced quality of life, and even positive bodily/physiological changes. The definition of such a “benefit” is different for each person. We can access it by asking ourselves, “What is it that I am supposed to learn or take from this experience? How am I supposed to use it for my greater good?” and eventually, it will be revealed. *Roselyn Smith PhD, is a licensed psychologist, hypnotherapist, critical incident mental health care and stress management specialist, and trainer/keynote speaker.*
5 min read How long does grief last? Exploring the grief timeline, how to cope, and more Jason Crosby 3 min read Grief, lost emotions, and feeling numb after a death: Why can’t I feel anything? Jason Crosby 4 min read When grief becomes anger: 5 steps that will help you work through the anger stage of grief Sarah Barness 5 min read Uncomplicated bereavement & prolonged grief disorder DSM-5: Causes, symptoms, treatment Sarah Barness 4 min read What is the bargaining stage of grief? How to understand and work through the bargaining process after experiencing loss Jason Crosby 5 min read Grief vs. mourning: Is there a difference? Hannah DeWitt 3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
3 min read Grief, lost emotions, and feeling numb after a death: Why can’t I feel anything? Jason Crosby 4 min read When grief becomes anger: 5 steps that will help you work through the anger stage of grief Sarah Barness 5 min read Uncomplicated bereavement & prolonged grief disorder DSM-5: Causes, symptoms, treatment Sarah Barness 4 min read What is the bargaining stage of grief? How to understand and work through the bargaining process after experiencing loss Jason Crosby 5 min read Grief vs. mourning: Is there a difference? Hannah DeWitt 3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
4 min read When grief becomes anger: 5 steps that will help you work through the anger stage of grief Sarah Barness 5 min read Uncomplicated bereavement & prolonged grief disorder DSM-5: Causes, symptoms, treatment Sarah Barness 4 min read What is the bargaining stage of grief? How to understand and work through the bargaining process after experiencing loss Jason Crosby 5 min read Grief vs. mourning: Is there a difference? Hannah DeWitt 3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
5 min read Uncomplicated bereavement & prolonged grief disorder DSM-5: Causes, symptoms, treatment Sarah Barness 4 min read What is the bargaining stage of grief? How to understand and work through the bargaining process after experiencing loss Jason Crosby 5 min read Grief vs. mourning: Is there a difference? Hannah DeWitt 3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
4 min read What is the bargaining stage of grief? How to understand and work through the bargaining process after experiencing loss Jason Crosby 5 min read Grief vs. mourning: Is there a difference? Hannah DeWitt 3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
5 min read Grief vs. mourning: Is there a difference? Hannah DeWitt 3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Find a provider ... Award-winning online & in-person therapy, covered by insurance. Call us to book Our team is happy to help you schedule your first session. Call (833) 966-4233 Book online Find the right provider for you. Book your session online yourself in just a few easy steps. Find a provider
3 min read How does grief affect weight gain or loss? Taylor Bennett 3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help.
3 min read Grief and memory loss: Can grief cause memory loss? Taylor Bennett 5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby Disclaimer The information on this page is not intended to replace assistance, diagnosis, or treatment from a clinical or medical professional. Readers are urged to seek professional help if they are struggling with a mental health condition or another health concern. If you’re in a crisis, do not use this site. Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help.
5 min read The 5 Stages of Grief & Loss: Fact From Fiction Lenora KM 5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby
5 min read What loss has taught me: Losing a loved one is a painful experience, but it’s also one to learn from Taylor Bennett 6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby
6 min read Human psychology and a burning planet: How to harness your ecological grief and eco-anxiety to fight climate change Wistar Murray 4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby
4 min read Coping with the loss of a friendship: How these connections evolve in adulthood and a counselor’s advice on allowing yourself to grieve Jason Crosby