Day: 29 September 2021

In these trying times, we continue to grieve as a nation for the lives lost to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mind You family extends its sincerest condolences and support to those in mourning. Here are 5 things you need to hear if you find yourself in this situation.

1. Grief takes time

Do not rush through the pain. It is okay to hurt because only once you are able to process it does a gateway to acceptance and therefore healing, open up to you.

2. The grieving process is not necessarily chronological

Most people are familiar with Kübler-Ross’ grief cycle, which gives a useful framework of the stages of grief, from denial, anger, bargaining, depression to acceptance, These stages may vary in intensity, and may not follow that order, so be kind to yourself as you experience the flow of your complex thoughts and emotions.

3. Healing is not linear

In the same way, we may experience the stages of grief in differing orders, we cannot assume that every day will bring us one step closer to healing every single time. Some days are good, and some days are challenging.

4. You cannot really prepare for grief

You may believe that because you have past experience or mourn and grieve in a certain way, you will be able to control how you react this time around. However, most of the time, this is not true. We cannot know how we will react when we lose a specific person in our lives. What we do know for certain is that it is important we practise self-compassion through whatever hardships or perceived setbacks that come our way.

5. You are not alone

It is easy to withdraw from the world when a situation is difficult to accept. While it is important to give yourself time and space for healing and introspection, reach out to your loved ones, too. Processing grief should not be a road travelled alone.

Need a judgment-free space to process your grief? We’re here to listen. Book a session with one of Mind You’s psychologists here.