January 12th, 2021

A Conversation About Grief

**Trigger Warning - Bereavement**

Hi, hi. 

How are you this week?

What have been your biggest wins? Think of 3, if you can...

What hasn't gone so well? What lessons have you taken away from these experiences? 

Today, I am going to speak candidly about GRIEF, LOSS and HEALING.

I think anyone who has lost something or someone they hold dear would agree with me when I say that grieving is a very individual, and incredibly personal journey. 

I use the term journey, as grief isn't something that gets better at the drop of a hat - it's a process, and the more care you take of yourself during that process, the quicker you will heal and the more you will learn from this heartbreaking time... That's the hope, anyway.

The truth is, although there are stages that many people go through, grief is different for everyone. This is where I get candid...

Back is 2012, I lost my Nan. She was the light of my life, a second parent and quite frankly, my best friend during my teenage years. She had such a beautiful energy, and her smile would light up a room in an instant... And don't get me started on her belly laugh. Her whole body would move when she chuckled!

Anyway, as a family, we all grieved so differently. A few of us had a tearful few weeks, then dusted ourselves off and got stuck into work. 3 or 4 of us found it tougher, taking months to really get back to feeling any pro-longed happiness. Sadly, it also smashed a couple of us to the floor - and we just couldn't stand back up. 

Eventually, after a few years, the loss became bearable for those who really struggled to come to terms with her death, but it was one of the most gruelling, challenging journeys we had ever experienced. 

Now, 8-years on, we can talk openly about my Nan's life, and laugh at the good times. There are still a few tears, but they are mostly dabbed away with a smile in the end.

This is the story of a close-knit family, all of which had a different experience, dealing with the loss of someone we all loved equally. Do you see the point I'm making?

Whether it's a loved-one, a pet or something of sentimental value - please know that the light is there, you may just need to travel a little to find it. 

In the words of Rumi, “The wound is the place where the light enters you". 
​
If you need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me here.

​I hope this blog helped you in some way.

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Take care,

Abby and the HappiMe Team x