Happy New Year! I have been working on a series of entries related to grief. My hope it that they give a different view into the world of grief that so many are living in. In my writings I naturally tend to focus more on grief related to losing a loved one, but grief can show its face in many ways. It may be grief resulting from a divorce, loss of job, a life change or transition, or any personal battle one is dealing with. Whatever the source of grief may be, it’s not an easy task learning to maneuver through it.
As I reflect back on 2018, I see how far I have come in my own grief process. It hasn’t been easy, but I do have to say that I am pretty damn proud of myself. With each year that passes I look back in amazement at how much I have overcome. I have made a lot of positive progress within my own stages of grief. Progress others will never know I’ve made from struggles I have never made known.
This is because grief is often a silent battle.
There are many parts of the grief process that comes with losing someone you love that is obvious to others. It’s obvious that the holidays may be tough at times. It’s obvious that special days or events can have some sadness mixed in with celebration. It’s obvious that the feeling of missing your loved one will always be there, no matter how much time passes.
Yet, there is so much more that comes with grieving that is not so obvious.
Grief is often a silent battle.
There are internal battles that no one will ever know of or understand. Those darkest moments that you keep to yourself, that no one will ever see.
With each battle won, you are learning and making progress, progress that no one recognizes. You are silently winning those battles and transforming yourself.
Be proud. You are making a step in the right direction. It doesn’t matter if it is baby steps or giant leaps. It’s also okay if no one knows about some of your victories and how many silent battles you have won.
Grief is often a silent battle.
