Grief, mourning, and bereavement. We all experience it but when a loss actually happens, few know how to feel or what to do to help cope. Grieving a loss can be a confusing and complicated time in life. Some of the most difficult aspects of grief is the feeling that there is a “right” way to grieve or an amount of time that is “appropriate” to grieve. The truth is, the process can be different between people and can even be different for different losses. Below are a few things to keep in mind to help you cope with your loss.
Ambivalence: How to Cope with Uncertainty
Ambivalence is what we experience when we have contradictory or opposing feelings about something at the same time. Many of my clients enter counseling because they have mixed feelings about a situation in their life. The indecision and uncertainty causes internal friction that can be completely overwhelming. It can cause loss of focus, lack of motivation, problems sleeping or eating, and a general feeling of imbalance that drives them to reach out for help.
Comfort Zones: How Comfortable Are They Really?
As humans we like routine and familiarity. That kind of stability serves as a comforting home base for us to come back to, rest, and feel rejuvenated for more adventures. Comfort zones aren’t inherently bad, but they become so when comfort keeps us from living in alignment with our personal values or what’s important to us in life. Instead of being a cozy, restful home base, our comfort zone becomes a prison, a space where experiential avoidance runs rampant.