When a life-changing loss hits you, grief can be a natural reaction. While grieving is natural, if it lasts for a long time, causing you to lose even more, it may be time to do something positive about it. There is no question that loss can be devastating, but your life goes on. There are other reasons to stay strong and live a fulfilling life. If grief is leaving you feeling hopeless, coming out of it can be extremely challenging. It takes courage to stay positive, but you may also need the assistance of a capable counselor.

Embracing and Grieving Your Loss

Losing someone or something precious happens to all people, making grief a natural human experience. Genuinely concerned people may offer help and comfort, but they may not completely understand your grief, because it is always unique and personal. How can you explain that the death of a pet is like losing a friend or a family member? Would they understand why a job that barely pays your rent can dissociate you from your aspiration and passion? Will they consider the end of your relationship a significant loss if they think it has prevented your personal and professional growth?

Grief is something personal. You will express it in a way that is uniquely your own. And just as grief is personal, so is recovering from it. For some people, easing back into their previous life (minus the loss) happens naturally. For others, it may take a long time and much pain. Accepting this fact is important to proactively take matters into your hands and seek professional help.

When It’s More Than Grief

When you are wrapped up in grief, seeking help from a capable counselor may be the last thing on your mind. It may not be easy to tell if you need a professional to pull you out of the rut you’re in. It will help if you know the warning signs that indicate your grief is far too deep for you to face on your own.

While it is natural to feel emotionally devastated after a tragic or painful loss, the shock, sadness, remorse, fear, or anger should eventually dissipate. If the emotions are not waning and they are breeding other equally upsetting symptoms—distrust, indifference, isolation, extreme sadness, and/or fixation with loss—you can’t just wallow in negativity. It can affect your health, destroy your relationships, and leave you feeling helpless and hopeless.

When Grief Takes Over

If you allow grief to be a main fixture in your life, more can be at stake as things worsen. Your day-to-day tasks can become arduous and unbearable, making them too difficult to complete. Interacting with other people, even with family and friends, can become a chore you would rather avoid. The activities that you were once eager to do can become uninteresting or not fun at all. You may find life just too much after a heart-rending loss.

While grief does not go away completely after a brief time, that doesn’t mean it has to take center stage forever. You can live with the loss, knowing that there are other positive things to look forward to. When grief pervades your life, it can crush your dreams, career, relationships, life, and future. You may feel like you can’t do the things you need to do, like study or work. You may isolate yourself, avoiding people and opportunities. Intense and sustained grief can also leave you susceptible to depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse.

Transforming Grief Positively with Help

If you have experienced a loss, it is natural to grieve. In fact, it is a healthy way of releasing your emotions. It is important, however, not to prolong it to the extent that you forgo other beautiful and promising aspects of your life and health. Do not ignore the signs; if your grief is holding you captive, making it impossible for you to get back on your feet or move on, seek help. Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC is just a phone call away.

The intensity of your grief can be harnessed and transformed into a positive force to drive you forward. A therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC can compassionately guide you through this dark phase in your life. They understand your personal grief and can help you accept the reality of your loss and live a satisfying life. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• The First Steps to Overcoming Grief and Loss
• Living with Loss without the Grief
• Remembering Loss Without the Heaviness of Grief