At some point in life we will all experience some type of loss. Whether it is that of a loved one or someone that you once knew, processing such a loss is never an easy feat. However, developing the mindset that it’s a privilege to have cared for someone so much that you’re left sad when they’re gone can be a great help to begin moving on.
The Privilege of Loss
Grief is a testament to love. To say you miss someone is to have experienced a love so strong that its absence leaves an echo. While the pain that loss causes is heavy, it’s also a reminder that it is a privilege to have been able to care and be cared for by someone so deeply. The ache you feel in your chest whenever you miss them is proof that you shared something real and that’s something to be grateful for.
By viewing loss this way, grief becomes a gift. The gift of grief serves as a reminder of the joy we got to experience because of them. Embracing this perspective and letting their memory guide you forward with gratitude rather than despair can be the first step towards healing.
You Don’t Need To Put A Time Limit On Grief
Grief doesn’t come with an expiration date. So often society imposes silent expectations onto us about how long it is acceptable to mourn, but healing isn’t always a linear path. Whether it’s days, months or years, grief ebbs and flows, and can resurface when we least expect it.
There’s no shame in taking the time you need to process a loss–it’s an emotional journey that looks different for everyone. Let yourself feel without the pressure of needing to “move on” by a certain point. Grief isn’t something that we overcome, it’s something that we carry. Just like the seasons, our grief changes over time as we grow.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
There’s a peculiar magic in revisiting the memories of loved ones we’ve lost. It’s a bittersweet journey that weaves together both joy and sorrow. As we walk down memory lane and look through the photo albums of faded pictures and reminisce of when they were so full of life or hear their echoing laugh in the background of an old video, we can’t help but feel like they are still here.
All of these moments preserved in time serve as a reminder that while they may no longer physically be here, you will always carry a piece of them with you. These moments, fleeting as they may be, are a testament to the love and bonds that we experience throughout life. By remembering them, we honor not just who they were, but who they will continue to be in our hearts.
“For you, there’ll be no more crying
Fleetwood Mac, Songbird
For you, the sun will be shining”
Dealing with loss can be a hard journey, if you have any advice that you want to share tag us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag.
