What To Expect When A Reminder Of Grief Appears In Your Life

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As any grief counselor or another individual who has worked through a traumatic experience in their past will tell you, it's extremely important to deal with the source of your grief so that you can move into the future with a clear mind and heart. While you'll never forget the person you've lost, it's vital to deal with the stages of grief as soon as possible instead of suppressing them so that you can return to a healthy life.

Even after you've gone through all the stages of grief and begun the process of moving into the next chapter of your life, a reminder of your loss can show up and derail your entire day. Since it's impossible to predict what may trigger a memory, it is important to understand how you can cope with these hard reminders before they come up:

There's No Specific Location

It may seem to make sense that there would be a specific place or set of places that trigger grief-laden memories, but the truth is that many reminders of loss can spring up even if you avoid visiting certain locations. Consider some of the following things that could trigger your grief--and in doing so, gain a wider understanding of when to expect a reminder:

• Certain dates on the calendar may be unavoidable for grief, including more obvious examples like holidays, but also anniversaries, birthdays, or other important dates that you shared with your loved one.
• While a lot of people consider upcoming dates, many people do not think about the role of senses in their grief. For example, getting a whiff of a certain perfume, cologne, or even food can bring you back to the moment (or series of moments) when you used to smell that scent.
• Hearing a song that held special significance to your loved one can bring grief seemingly from nowhere.

Tips to Deal with Reminders of Grief

No matter how the reminder arrives, it's important to know how to deal with the unwanted surprise in a positive way. Consider a few of these tips to helping you along the way:

• If a certain date is approaching on the calendar, consider meeting with friends or family to spend the day in a positive way.
• Don't try to hide your grief--there's nothing wrong with voicing your sadness to others and being honest about how you're feeling.
• If your loved one was interested in a specific charity or organization, consider donating money in their honor.
• Connect with other people who have gone through similar circumstances as you. By making friends with others who can be your understanding support group, you can ensure that you'll always have someone to call, someone like Gillies Funeral Chapel, in a moment when you can't do it on your own.

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27 March 2015