the hidden pressures of grief

themes

"What happened?"

"How are you guys managing?"

"Do you have any news?"

"Is everything sorted out?"

"Everything happens for a reason."

"The important thing is to process, and move on."

"Are you seeing someone about this?"

The untold pain of grief and social pressure

It's well-meaning. And that's part of the problem. People want to know what happened. They want to hear that you're coping. Then there's that awkward look when someone wants to say something, but isn't sure what. How many times have you heard, "I'm sorry for your loss"? How often have you dreaded social situations, or going on social media, to hear it again? To have the questions, to get the advice, to see the concerned faces.

Of course, sometimes, just what you need is: someone to listen, a good piece of advice, or a simple consolation. But, the fact that you get it from everyone can add stress and pain. Too, not everyone's definition of support or advice is helpful, and you can find yourself having deal with awkward situations.

There are many ways to deal with this, and a lot of advice on how to. However, it's just as important not to miss the fact that all these questions, all this help is added stress in your life—at a time, when the normal pressures of life already feel overwhelming.

The simple options still apply:

And, it can be helpful to get support from other people who know how hard it is to be in grief.

note:

If you find that social interactions are becoming unmanageable or your mental health is deteriorating, please consider reaching out to a professional who specialises in bereavement.