topic Re: Coping with grief in Grief and loss

Coping with grief

white knight — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:05:05 GMT

In my experience with my own grieving and observing others, there is an initial period where others input has virtually no effect.

During this period, which varies in length depending on the person, we can be there and listen, reassure with comforting words etc. However it can be counter productive telling someone "you'll get over it" or "its for the best". That's because pure 100% grief hasn't room for logic nor room for reason nor explanation.

What if you are the person in grief?. After this initial period, there will be a time when you'll return to your pre grief life, work, shopping etc. But you'll still be in grief. This is the point at which I encourage some strategies. Eg

Im dedicating next year to my father. He'll want me to be as happy as I could be.

Im going to create a corner of my garden to my sister. A place with a garden seat and climbing roses, her favourite flower

My brother did not enjoy good health. I will in his honour, care for myself because he never had that opportunity.

And so on.

The art of channelling, which is what I referred to above is infinite in its realm of creativity and its an individual thing. It can make us extend ourselves beyond our projected capacity. Ever seen Olympians dedicate their journey of competition to a loved one?

But IMO the greatest motivating factor is children. Those of us that have walked that dark path of suicidal thoughts and/or plans know that thinking of how we will leave our loved ones in trauma and grief can be a huge motivating factor for us to sever the idea and dedicate our lives to our children or loved ones.

When I lost my wonderful dad I decided to ensure I would one day leave the world of my children with a similar memory...

In summary-

To assist yourself in coping with grief, allow yourself a period of time that you alone feel is the right length of time to just grieve....and not much else except comforting others.

Then put in place ways of honouring your loved one and living your life as they would want you to.

Finally, not to make their passing in vain. Grab hold of their legacy they've left and in their name ...never let it go. For that memory is priceless. Use that gift to leave a similar memory for other loved ones you will one day leave behind.

Thats how I make sense of the passing of loved ones.

Do you have strategies in coping with the passing of a loved one you'd like to share?

Your ideas could help someone else

Tony WK

Coping with grief

brownhairedgirl — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:47:32 GMT

Tony WK,

You are amazing. You give so much of yourself and your experience to everyone on this forum and expect nothing in return. Your way with words and your gentle nature i'm sure, have saved many lives.

Thank you so very much for your kind words. They have helped me immensely and you've shone a light through the noise and fog for me to walk toward.

Peace x

BHG

Coping with grief

white knight — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:29:00 GMT

Hi by brownhairedgirl

To receive your post has made my week. Rarely do we get such feedback and when it comes it is so refreshing.

If there is anything in my threads you see that you'd like to comment on simply do so. Hopefully I wont miss it and reply again.

Here are two you can google that you just might find inspiring. Use google

Youtube Maharaji prem rawat sunset

youtube Maharaji prem rawat the perfect instrument

Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue

Cheers for now. I hope you hang around this wonderful place.

TonyWK

Coping with grief

brownhairedgirl — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 13:02:14 GMT

thank you for the links i'll check them out.

Yes i'll hang around.

BHG

Coping with grief

white knight — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 21:01:43 GMT

Last month I lost two loved ones, a cousin and a school friend I’d known 64 years and 52 years both to cancer.

It comes at a time when we are building a garage then our new house. I have those quiet periods of grief, but then switch mindset to get busy again.

google

beyondblue topic switching mindsets

beyondblue topic distractions and variety

TonyWK

Re: Coping with grief

Ember_Glow — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 10:21:05 GMT

Hi Tony WK,

This has been very helpful, thankyou so much. How long though would you think would be appropriate for the grieving part? Because I lost my mother's best friend (of whom I though ot like a mother), to breast cancer 3 years ago and yet still I feel such grief and despair when even something like her name or something that reminds me of her, comes up. Sometimes I don't see the point of continuing on with life if I'll have to live with this sadness forever. How much longer should I try to hold on?

Ember Glow