The state of grief confronts even the most emotionally sturdy people, so feeling like you're not able to handle what you're facing is a challenge that we all face from time to time.
As hard as it may be to accept, give yourself grace; grief is a perfectly normal (in fact, healthy) part of being a human. The hurt or pain you are experiencing helps to shape the person you are and making your way to through it says a lot about your ability to overcome the worst and return to a happy, peaceful state of being.
If, however, you're finding it difficult to get through your grief on your own, try the following strategies to make the journey less difficult.
Helpful Steps for Navigating Grief
1. Acceptance. As difficult as it may sound to you right now, you'll need to take your very best shot at accepting that something has happened to cause you grief. Bear in mind that acceptance doesn't have to mean being nonchalant about the pain and hurt, because those are very real. Instead, tell yourself that it has already happened and is in the past.
You haven't been given the power to change things that have already occurred, but you can certainly change how you deal with the challenge going forward!
Dig deep within your soul to find the strength to move on.
Seek the help of someone disconnected from your circumstance and be open to their approach and point of view.
2. Healing. It's important to spend time doing things that bring relaxation and eliminate stress so you're able to cope well as the days go by.
Spend some time in meditation so you can have a relaxed heart and mind.
Exercise. Physical activity encourages your body to release endorphins that lift your mood and help you feel better.
Forgive yourself for whatever responsibility you've assumed for the outcome of the situation. Try to accept that life's happenings are under the guidance of a Greater Being.
3. Give Thanks. Especially during a time of grief, spend some time reflecting on all the blessings that have crossed your path. If you commit to putting aside your feelings for a moment, you'll realize how much you truly have to be thankful for. Sometimes the blessings far outweigh the tragedies without you even knowing.
Make a list of all the positives that you've witnessed in your life and in the lives of your loved ones.
Meditate on those blessings until they become ingrained in your conscious thought.
Try to identify the lesson in the midst of what you're experiencing and be thankful for it.
Finding peace in the midst of grief will be difficult at the beginning, and there are really no rules for how long you should take to heal. However, remember that there's a season for everything. Your feelings of hurt and pain have no plans to last forever. As you practice these strategies and begin to heal, you'll be able to release your grief so you can find true peace.
If you're feeling stuck in grief, or it's getting in the way of your daily functioning, work, or relationships, it may be helpful to reach out to a trained therapist.