Understanding Grief and Loss
There is no one way to grieve. Going through loss will have a significant impact on how you live, love and move through life. Below are definitions of grief and loss, but there is no real way to define how it will impact each of us. It will be different. You experience will be different from another family member. Know that you are not alone. At the end of this blog, there are resources for Ontario and Durham Region residents that are moving through the grieving process.
Let’s begin by defining grief and loss.
Loss is the experience of being deprived of something or someone significant. Some examples of loss are:
Death: The passing of a loved one, including family members, friends, or pets.
Relationship Loss: Breakups, divorce, or estrangement from family or friends.
Health Loss: Chronic illness, disability, or significant changes in health. This could also mean watching a loved one go through a health issue such as Alzheimer's, Dementia or Cancer where you may feel loss while the person is still here.
Material Loss: Loss of home, possessions, or financial stability.
Identity Loss: Loss of roles, such as retirement, job loss or becoming an empty nester.
Environmental Loss: Moving to a new place or experiencing changes in one's community or environment.
Grief is the emotional response to loss. There are many feelings associated with grief – that could include, fear, sadness, anger and guilt. Grief is personal and it is different for everyone. Even if you are a part of the same family, each member can experience the same loss differently. For example, grief can present itself as:
Emotional Responses: Feelings of sorrow, pain, longing, and sometimes relief or anger.
Physical Symptoms: Fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, or physical pain.
Cognitive Effects: Difficulty concentrating, confusion, or preoccupation with the loss.
Behavioral Changes: Withdrawal from social activities, changes in daily routines, or seeking solace in rituals.
Grief is the natural reaction to loss. When someone experiences a loss, they undergo a period of grieving, which helps to process their loss and eventually adapt to their new reality. This can be lengthy and complex, often involving various stages and emotions. Understanding both grief and loss is crucial to navigating the journey of healing and finding ways to cope with the changes you are experiencing.
The following resources are helpful in processing your grief and loss here in Ontario:
Soul Transition
https://soultransition.ca/
Jennifer McCrae is a Certified Death Doula and Holistic Grief Specialist helping individuals and families experiencing loss or transitioning through a diagnosis or death. She offers support in end of life planning, grief support groups, infant and pregnancy loss, vigil facilitation and much more.
Visit Soul Transition’s Website
Kids Help Phone
Kid’s Help Phone is a free phone/online service available to youth who require support.
Victim Services
Victim Services offers free and confidential crisis response services to victims of crime in Durham Region.
MyGrief
MyGrief is a free online resource created by people who have been through the grieving process as well as Grief specialists to help you through your grief.
These are not the only resources available, however it’s a start. You’re not alone during this time. Please reach out if you have any questions about healing through your grief.
xo
Astra