Grief comes in many shapes, forms, symptoms. The most important aspect to keep in mind with grief is that the experience can be unpredictable and at times “messy”. I liked to use the analogy of grief being like an ocean and the tide. One minute it is calm and quiet, and the next minute the waves rise and the tide is high. This is how people might feel after a loss is fresh. They may have moments of acceptance and peace and then be a completely distraught the next minute. For people that might be type A, and or perfectionistic, this may be the hardest part of grief to come to terms with. In our western culture, grief is often not talked about enough and the bereft are allowed 3 days off for bereavement days, which seems so minuscule in light of the how traumatic the death of a loved one can be. In the following paragraphs, I will highlight the nuances of grief and suggest some coping skills. Additionally, it is important to note that people can experience grief not only after a death, but after as significant loss. Such losses might include a job, relationship (friendships/romantic), health issue, financial setbacks, etc.
