Grief is one of the most profound and universal human experiences. Whether you have lost a loved one, a relationship, a job, or a sense of who you once were, grief can leave you feeling utterly disoriented. One of the most helpful things I tell my clients is this: there is no right way to grieve.
Beyond the Stages
Many people are familiar with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While these can be useful as a framework, grief is rarely linear. You may move between stages, skip some entirely, or revisit them many times. This is entirely normal.
What Grief Actually Looks Like
Grief can manifest as profound sadness, but also as anger, numbness, exhaustion, or even unexpected moments of joy followed by guilt. Physical symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, and lack of concentration are common. Your grief may look nothing like someone else's—and that's okay.
When to Seek Support
While grief is a natural process, sometimes it can become complicated, particularly if it significantly impairs your functioning over an extended period. A clinical psychologist can provide a safe space to process your loss and develop tools to carry it with you as you move forward.