By Anna May
Experiencing loss while we’re young can limit the opportunities we have to explore our interests and form a sense of identity.
The stress and emotional impact of someone close to us being unwell and/or dying is huge, not to mention the actual time that may be involved in caring for someone or holding things together after a death.
While other young people may be exploring what they like and don’t like, building connections, and discovering who they are, those experiencing grief may be at capacity. Our energy is needed for getting through the days.
As we become adults, we may find that we are indecisive, confused, and unsure how to engage in the more light-hearted parts of our lives. The grief may not be so prevalent, but it may have become our default to worry, attack, or isolate.
Emotional turmoil has been our norm, grief our identity. Who are we without this? What do we want to do with our time, when we actually have capacity to explore?
Healing is not just about untangling the grief we feel, but experimenting, reconnecting with things we enjoy, and giving ourselves space to grow.
For more thoughts on this, check out our reel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEnSYHCMJET/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==