Grief is one word that holds a significant amount of emotional weight. The word grief means deep sorrow, often used when it comes to the loss of a loved one. When you hear the word grief, it is connected to “the seven stages of grief,” such as shock, the feeling of disbelief, or not fully comprehending the significance of losing someone. Denial, not wanting to admit or acknowledge the loss. Anger, the uncontrollable rage that consumes you in sporadic moments. Bargaining, feeling guilty in a way, trying to find a way to somewhat justify it. Depression, overwhelming sadness that takes over your life. Reconstructing, trying to rebuild what you have lost to the best of your ability, and get back to normal. Finally acceptance, moving on in life. 

People who have not gone through the loss of someone close to them believe that this is what grief looks like in everyone. People don’t understand that people grieve differently. One common misconception about losing someone is that life eventually goes back to normal; it doesn’t. You learn how to live your life without someone in it; you learn to live a new normal life. 

Most people don’t follow the stages of grief in order; your reaction changes depending on who the person was to you and how close you were. Sometimes you feel all the stages at once while some emotions have a stronger hold on you than others. Other times, you feel nothing. Even years after the loss, you still will have to deal with the unfortunate things that come with it: the random burst of anger and the realization that they won’t be there for you in the moment that you need them. 

Grief is different in everyone. Not everyone will heal the same way, but the best way to heal is to give it time. You might not be okay today or tomorrow, but one day you will wake up, and it won’t hurt as much. There are also other options, like learning a new hobby, to get things off your mind, and if things do not get better, seek a medical professional.