The Art of Grieving Well: Healing Your Heart to Nurture Your Well-being
Sep 26, 2023
In our collective journey through life, there is no avoiding grief or loss, yet we've seldom been encouraged or taught how to navigate these challenging emotions. Society has, in many ways, emphasized the repression or avoidance of grief, praising those who appear "strong" and unaffected by loss. We've been led to believe that grief is a process reserved only for death.
And mourning—the outward expression of the sadness of grief—is deemed acceptable for only a finite period after a loss. Unrightfully so, we are are told that "time heals all wounds" and are expected to "move on" after loss.
All this leads to not truly making space in our lives for the uncomfortable emotions of despair, loss, and sadness. And when left untended to, unresolved grief will manifest itself as anxiety, rage, and addictions, leaving us feeling stuck, unwell, and fully disconnected from our true potential
It's time for a shift in the narrative around grief. While society may have conditioned us to believe that grief is a process to be endured in silence, hidden away like a secret, I know a transformative truth. Grief, when approached with intention and care can nurture our overall wellbeing. It's not a path to be feared but rather an opportunity for profound healing and growth. In this exploration, we delve into the art of grieving well, unveiling its secrets as a wellness hack that can lead us towards a life of contentment and balance.
Here are five things you'll need to embrace the art of grieving well for more balance and contentment in your life.
1 - Your Enneagram Type: Knowing your patterns and path for growth
Understanding your Enneagram type is the first step toward acknowledging how unconscious patterns of your personality may have contributed to repressing or avoiding the grieving process. This self-awareness is crucial for unlocking your potential to live a life of contentment and balance.
Beyond that, the Enneagram serves as a spiritual framework designed to help you transcend these patterns and grow through challenging moments. Within the depths of your Enneagram type lies a personalized map to healing, grieving, and truly living.
Don't know your Enneagram type? Take my 3-minute Quiz to start your process of self-inquiry.
2 - A Daily Practice: Showing up for Yourself
Grieving demands that we move beyond our thoughts and into the wisdom of our bodies. It is within our bodies that we can unlock old emotions and process what arises during the grieving process. Your body has experienced every thought, emotion, and experience of your life, and it remembers. When you seek healing, the practice of somatic work becomes essential.
Practices such as breathwork, bodywork, tapping, cold plunging, and meditation create conscious awareness, somatic release, and the necessary space for grieving well and, ultimately, living fully.
Want a simple practice to get your started? Get my impactful 5-minute guided breath practice.
3 - A Team: Supporting yourself with People and Professionals
Grieving is a challenging journey, and you don't have to go through it alone. In fact, trying to do so may hinder your progress. Allow yourself to be supported, held accountable, and guided to think about things differently by a supportive community of people and practitioners, so that you can start navigating your life with more peace, joy, and presence.
Ready to transform your grief into growth and reclaim joy in your life? Start investing your energy into your healing journey. Consider booking a session with a spiritual mentor, committing to therapy, hiring a coach, sitting in sacred circle with others on their healing paths, or even listening to podcasts that keep you plugged into inspiration.
Embark on this journey of transformation, where grief becomes a stepping stone to your personal growth and contentment. Remember, healing is a path worth walking, and you don't have to walk it alone.
4 - Sacred Rituals: Keeping the Connection, Honoring Loss
In our journey to transform grief into growth, sacred rituals play a profound role. These rituals, often rooted in ancient wisdom, serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. They help us maintain a connection with the essence of those we've lost, keeping their memory alive in our hearts. Lighting a candle, creating an altar, or engaging in a regular meditation practice can all be powerful ways to honor our loved ones' legacies. Furthermore, these rituals serve as reminders of our own resilience and strength, helping us navigate the complexities of life with grace and reverence.
5 - Somatic Strategies: Navigating Grief in Real Time
Grief is not a linear journey; it can strike unexpectedly in the midst of our daily lives. When these waves of grief wash over us, having somatic strategies at our disposal can provide solace and relief. Somatic practices, such as mindful breathing, grounding exercises, or gentle movement, allow us to anchor our awareness in the present moment. By directing our attention to the sensations in our body, we create a safe space to process and release pent-up emotions. These strategies help us navigate the intensity of grief as it arises, allowing us to find moments of peace and self-compassion amidst the storm. Whether it's a deep breath during a challenging meeting or a brief walk in nature, somatic techniques offer a lifeline of support during moments of real-time grief.
With love and support on your healing path,
Rachelle xo
Ready to take the first step toward healing and self-discovery? Bring sacred rituals & self-awareness into your life, and join a community of growth-minded humans in the SOL circle.
I believe that showing up for yourself doesn't have to be hard and that consistency is the key to sustainable growth. Five minutes a day is all it takes to feel transformative impacts on your well-being.
Try my favourite mindfulness practice for increased mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
