Riding the Waves: A Guide to Navigating Griefs Rollercoaster

Navigating the Rollercoaster of Emotions in Times of Loss: Understanding the stages of grief, coping mechanisms, and the importance of self-care for managing complex emotions and fostering healing.

The Rollercoaster of Emotions in Grief

Experiencing grief can be an overwhelming journey marked by a rollercoaster of emotions that fluctuate unpredictably. They will come at you so expectantly. This was my experience last week. Whew! September is a difficult month for my family. September 1st, 2011 is the day my sister Viola Denese Horton left this earth. The pain of losing my best friend and sister I needed all the help in the world. But this was not the case. September 16th is my mom's birthday. And I was expecting to have a wonderful day with her after we all gathered together at her house to cut her favorite cake. The cake is from Peninsula Grill in South Carolina, its called the Ultimate Coconut Cake. this cake is easily my favorite too. But any who! I had made a post on Facebook about her birthday and when I went in there to see who chimed in, to my surprise my other sister did! And the fact that she took time out to say it to my mother and what she said was like a gut punch. See, grief doesn't just come from the death of a person but this rollercoaster ride is that and plus the death of my relationship with my sister who is still living. During a time when we should have come together when OUR sister died on September 1st, 2011. Instead, I got ghosted by her when I needed her the most. And seeing that post just sent the waves of emotions; the pain of losing both my sisters in essence. It was pain that my daughter, Morgan made me realize I have been carrying for 13 years.

Coping Mechanisms for Managing Grief

When dealing with the multifaceted emotions of grief, engaging in physical activities can be remarkably beneficial. Exercise, such as running or swimming, not only helps release pent-up emotions but also triggers the release of endorphins, often referred to as "feel-good" hormones, which can alleviate stress levels and improve mood. For instance, taking a daily walk in nature can provide a calming environment to reflect on emotions and find solace in the beauty of the surroundings, aiding in emotional processing during the grieving period. This is what I should have done because sadly I am wearing my summer. Morgan, Antwan, Vanesa, and I are talking about walking or doing some type of physical exercise. What I did was I sat at my desk and cried my eyes out until the liquid love (tears) were all dried up. I reached out to my family through Messenger and told my family I was having a Morgan Destin moment. It was a moment when no matter how hard she tried to stop crying about missing her brother Jordan, the tears wouldn't stop flowing! What my daughter said was let them flow! I am telling you if you find yourself in a moment like this, let them flow!! Then I went to get the finishing touches for the birthday party and went to celebrate with my family. We have to find healthy ways to build up our coping skills to help us ride the rollercoaster ride of grief. A slice of Ultimate Coconut Cake and time with my family was just what the doctor (me), prescribed.

Conclusion on Managing Grief Emotions

In the journey of navigating the tumultuous waves of emotions following a loss, it is essential to acknowledge that grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Each individual copes with loss uniquely, influenced by various factors such as personal history, cultural background, and the nature of the relationship with the deceased and in this case someone also living.

Moreover, as we traverse the challenging terrain of grief, the importance of self-compassion cannot be overstated. Self-compassion involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance during moments of emotional turmoil. I was being very hard on myself. The support that I received from my family during that moment was key to helping me not just sit in the pain. So, having a support group is amazing but at times you have to know how to help ourselves. For example, engaging in gentle self-talk and allowing oneself to feel and express emotions without judgment can be powerful acts of self-compassion that facilitate the healing process. By extending the same level of compassion to oneself as one would to a dear friend experiencing grief, individuals can cultivate a nurturing environment for emotional growth and resilience. Through this lens of self-compassion, leading the journey through grief transitions from a daunting path to a transformative process of self-discovery and healing.