Saying Goodbye

There is something that hits you in the gut when you realise you’re never going to see the person or speak to them again.

By: Yuthra Suresh

At some point of your life, you’re bound to grieve someone’s passing. Whether the death was expected or not, it still leaves one reeling from the loss. However, everyone deals with grief differently. Some cry, some shut down and some keep themselves occupied as a form of distraction.

There is something that hits you in the gut when you realise you’re never going to see the person or speak to them again. It may not matter if the person was someone you were close to or not. It can be overwhelming, soul crushing or a release. Ultimately it’s a time in your life where you may experience a multitude of emotions. Emotions that may be hard for you to manage well due to the loss.

There is no one way to grieve. There is no set timeline for you to stop grieving someone. However, if not cared for, grieve can be debilitating. It can affect your overall mental wellness. It can affect your physical health, employment, and relationship with others.

It is common for some to resort to negative coping mechanisms such as alcohol or substance abuse, isolation and avoidance. Using these methods may make you feel like you’re coping well for the moment but eventually reality will hit harder. For instance, alcohol has been shown to possibly exacerbate grief symptoms as it has depressant effects. This makes it more difficult for one to process the loss.

Seeking therapy to deal with the loss of a loved one enables you to start processing your emotions and thoughts. It may give you some semblance of closure or provide you with coping techniques. Learning to live life without a loved one is difficult, near impossible for some. Therapy can provide you with some coping skills so that you can continue to navigate life’s journey.