"Grief is not an illness or a mental health problem. Grief is a natural part of life." - Julie Kapl

By Anna Randall

Our grief is our own, and we will move forward with it in our way, in our own time.

The “stages of grief” model, developed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, describes the five stages of grief as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages are commonly experienced by people who are coping with the reality of death and dying.

It’s important to note that grief can manifest in many other ways beyond death. For instance, it can occur when we experience the loss of someone or something we love or cherish. Grief can also be present when we feel we missed out on a part of our life. For example, a child who had to be too responsible or was unable to be who they wanted to be may grieve the loss of their childhood.

Grief can also arise during happy times, such as when someone graduates from high school and grieves the loss of friends and school. It is a normal human experience and can show up during any life change.

The healing process after a loss is not linear and there is no timeline for when it will be over. However, the stages of grief are generally the same in most cases. The experience of grief may move back and forth between the stages, but until there is acceptance, it can be not easy to move forward.

It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Everyone’s experience is unique to them. Ultimately, it comes down to accepting what was and then accepting what is.

Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s famous five stages of grief were never meant to be a step-by-step prescription for how to move forward. They can help us name our feelings and experiences inside of grief. As Ted Rynearson said, there are only two stages of grief: who you were before and who you are after.

If you are struggling with grief and need someone to talk to, please consider reaching out, I am here to listen.

Book a Session