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Navigating Grief: Communicating Grief Feelings Effectively

Writer's picture: Gaynor Gaynor

Grief is a deeply personal journey, filled with overwhelming and complicated feelings, emotions and experiences. While we grieve, having a supportive network to lean on can make all the difference. However, it can sometimes feel daunting and challenging to communicate our thoughts, feelings and emotions with those around us.

 


3 people sitting on a bench, the middle one has their hood up and their head bowed.
The challenge of expressing grief feelings.

How can I communicate grief feelings: What should I say?


We are all on a unique journey with our grief, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all approach to expressing our emotions. You might find that you gravitate towards talking about certain topics or using certain forms of communication, whether that's face-to-face conversations, audio calls, or written words. But how do we figure out which ways of communicating work best for us? Here are some tips you can try:

 

Embrace the Challenge: Give it a Go!


Test out different approaches, finding the most authentic way of expressing your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Remember, what works for you in everyday conversations might be different when conveying the intense emotions that accompany grief. Take the time to experiment, learning more about yourself and your needs.

 

Embrace Reflection and Re-evaluation


Journaling can provide a safe space to self-reflect, encouraging you to think about your thoughts, feelings and emotions and how you want to express them. Through journaling you can safely express yourself and explore how you're feeling. This can support you through your journey and provide comfort and solace as you figure out what works best for you.


Understanding how you prefer to communicate can help you become more self-aware, allowing you to better connect with yourself and your needs and build more meaningful connections with those around you.

 

Who should I talk to?


You might also be considering who you want to share your thoughts and feelings with. You might think about friends and family who have been there for you in the past, or you might seek out those who share similar experiences and can relate to your feelings. You might also choose to speak with a Helpline for advice or engage in sessions with a professional.


Here are some tips for deciding who to talk to:

 

Empowering Connections: Your Support Group Journey


To establish your supportive network, you might reflect on your relationships. Perhaps you want to identify those who've shown empathy and support in the past and surround yourself with caring individuals who understand and validate your feelings. Most of all, it's important to remember to go at a pace that feels right for you as you communicate with those around you. There's no rush to share earlier, or share more, than you feel comfortable with.

 

The Strength of Unity: A Close-Knit Community


The power of a supportive community can be so helpful through our journeys with grief. If you haven't already, you are welcome to join our compassionate and empathetic face-to-face community Bereavement Friendship groups, and our Facebook group. We also have fora on our website where you can join a forum by topic. Remember, there is no set timeline for grief, and seeking support at any stage is valid.



Four seniors communicating grief feelings over a cup of tea.
Communicating grief feelings with those who understand

 

How can I communicate grief feelings?


Finding the right time or space to open up about your feelings can be hard. Even when we're asked directly how we are feeling, it can often feel like there's a lot of pressure to simply say 'I'm fine'. It's a challenging situation, so here are some tips to guide you through:

 

Begin with Baby Steps


Start by labelling your emotions, perhaps that you are feeling tired or achy, to ease into opening up. Remember, vulnerability takes time. Recognise the value of sharing experiences in grief communication and avoid disclosing everything at once if you do not feel comfortable. Take small steps and build a supportive, trustworthy network with whom you feel comfortable expressing your emotions authentically.

 

The Art of Prioritizing: Making Time for What Matters


We know that finding the right time to talk about your emotions can be tough. If discussing your grief feels challenging, you could try doing activities together, like puzzles, crafting, cooking or walks. Shared experiences can deepen bonds and open communication, offering support through grief. They can make discussing grief feel less daunting, leading to more natural conversations.


By Rosie Blagburn

 

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