5 Stages of Grief

As great as life can be, there are always low periods where the pain comes in, especially after the loss of someone important to us. We encounter highs and lows that shape our experiences and emotions. While the sun shines brightly on some days, there are other days when the clouds gather and darkness settles upon our hearts. These are the periods when pain makes its presence felt, casting a shadow over our existence.

Some of us don’t have those periods for a long time, while others experience them often. There is no telling what tomorrow brings. But if you’re finding yourself in one of those low periods where life has really hit you hard, please show yourself grace because we all handle grief differently. It takes time to process and it takes time to heal. Times of pain and sorrow are not signs of weakness. They are proof that you are a human experiencing life.

During the dark time after a loss, remember healing is not linear and the path to recovery is different for everyone. Give yourself permission to grieve, to feel, and to navigate through the waves of sadness. Seek support from loved ones, friends, or professionals who can offer guidance and empathetic ears.

Though it may seem impossible to imagine now, there will come a time when the weight on your shoulders will lighten, when the sun will peek through the clouds, and laughter will find its way back into your life.

The five stages of grief are:

Denial – This is the time period where it does not seem real or we don’t want to admit this tragedy happened.

Anger – This is the frustration from lack of control. You cannot change what happened and it’s not fair. Depending on your religious perspective, you might become angry with God for taking something important to you away.

Sadness – This is when you realize the loss is real and this person is not coming back. Maybe you start to imagine life differently without that person in it.

Bargaining – You might want to bargain to get the person to stay or come back.

Acceptance – This is not always a period of perfect healing, but it’s an understanding that things have changed and we start to accept the loss.

Please remember the stages do not need to occur in order and you do not need to only experience each stage once. Every grieving process can look different.

This video was created to provide psycho-education regarding the 5 stages of Grief. If you are currently struggling with deep grief, please reach out to your local therapist, counselor, or mental health agency.