Although every bereavement is different, and there is no set way to grieve, many people share some common experiences during the early stages of loss.
The very early stages of bereavement often bring feelings of shock and emotional numbness. People sometimes describe the first few weeks as living in a state of unreality or limbo. You may feel as though you’re only participating in life from a distance, or disconnected from those around you.
It’s a turbulent time — it’s possible to feel emotionally frozen one moment and experience waves of intense emotion the next. To cope with this sense of disorientation, some people throw themselves into practical tasks such as organising paperwork or planning the funeral service.
It’s important to remember that everyone experiences grief in their own unique way, and this will vary with each individual loss. There is no set, linear pattern, and it’s completely normal to move back and forth through different stages of grief. These are often described as Anger, Denial, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance — but you may experience them in any order and more than once. There is no right or wrong way to grieve.
A more complex range of emotions often arises after several months, once the initial shock begins to fade. This is often the time when people seek extra support through bereavement counselling — a safe space to work through feelings of loss and adjustment.
I offer bereavement counselling in Stockbridge, Hampshire, supporting clients from Winchester, Andover, Salisbury and Romsey. If you’re navigating grief and would like to talk in confidence, counselling can help you find your way through at your own pace.