By: Susan Drevitch Kelly, Life Transition Coach; Date: September 6, 2023
Are you feeling stuck in your grief? Are you still adjusting to your ‘new normal’—navigating life alone? Do you feel that you’ve lost your identity, now that your loved one is gone–asking yourself “Who am I now?”
Experiencing grief after a loss is normal and part of the human experience; yet, it is a different experience for each individual. Grief can last months for some people and years for others. Grief is a complicated process. For many individuals, the intensity of grief is likely to fluctuate and can be triggered randomly or when reminders of the loss are present,
Sometimes, just when you feel you have “turned the corner” on your sadness, loneliness and all of the other strong emotions that accompany grief, something will trigger your grief, like a strong wave hitting you in the face, and unexpected emotions can overwhelm you once again.
This “reawakened” grief can be disheartening, especially if you were feeling like you were “doing okay.” And, now you feel like you’re sinking backwards, like you are stuck in your grief and haven’t made any progress in your healing and recovery.
Healing, recovering and reclaiming your life after experiencing a profound loss is not an easy process, but it is absolutely possible. Grief is hard work but you will get your life back on track, perhaps a different path than you planned on, or expected, but you will eventually put the pieces back together and move forward with your life.
If you have moved through at least the first or second year of your loss, perhaps already have tried grief counseling and/or a grief support group, but are still feeling stuck in the process of healing and moving forward with your life, you are probably dealing with “unfinished grief” or “delayed grief” and may want to consider attending our newly-formed, drop-in grief support group, Riding the Wave Grief Support Group. The group will meet at the Scituate Senior Center beginning on October 10th and is open to South Shore residents.
This group will be led by myself, Susan Drevitch Kelly, an experienced life coach and facilitator of the Grieve Not Alone grief support group. Riding the Wave will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1-2pm and will provide an open and healing forum for grievers who are still dealing with their grief and in need of support. We will focus on a “sharing and caring” format and together will explore challenges and hurdles, strategies and solutions to help in your healing process.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Jessica Souke, Program Coordinator at the Scituate Senior Center: 781-545-8722.
