Grief affects all of us when we lose something that was valuable, someone that we love or something that we may never have. It is important to remember that grief is a normal part of life, changing the way we think and providing us with invaluable wisdom and experience.

There are many things that make us grieve including:

• People – through death
• Relationships – through break up or change
• Health – through illness or accident
• Things we own – by accident or theft
• The loss of a pet

We can also grieve when we loose things such as our sight, hearing, independence or even a body part through accident or illness.

There is no ‘right’ way to grieve. We all grieve in our own way… in our own time, so be gentle on yourself. Give yourself time and take it easy.

Talking to a counsellor can assist you in working through your grief and loss and help you to understand that what you are feeling is completely normal. Even though discussing your loss won’t reverse the past – it’s good to let it out.

Your feelings will come and go and you may only feel some of the following feelings such as:

• Shock or disbelief – numb, dazed, feeling like it’s a dream, empty
• Sadness – Feeling down, crying
• Anger or blaming - guilt, regret
• Yearning
• Feeling out of control
• Physical changes – weight, appetite

It can help to write a letter saying goodbye to the person or thing you have lost. You can do with it whatever you choose – even if it’s just to keep for yourself.

Escape from your grief by listening to your favourite music, watching a favourite movie, going for a walk or reading a book or magazine that you enjoy. Anything that gives you a rest.