Being Vulnerable Is Allowed
From the Desk of RD
The Reality of Grief – Being Vulnerable Is Allowed When You Grieve
Recovering from any loss of a loved one is one of the most painful, emotional and physical experiences to endure since you realize that you have no control of life. To add to the pain, the most common words we hear when people offer condolences is “be strong”!
Grieving is a deeply personal and often overwhelming experience that leaves you feeling vulnerable in ways you might never have imagined. The loss of a loved one tears open the fabric of your life, exposing raw emotions and a profound sense of emptiness. In these moments, your defenses crumble, and you find yourself stripped bare, grappling with sorrow, anger, and confusion
Being vulnerable simply means opening up yourself emotionally and mentally to others. Many of us fear the consequences of making ourselves vulnerable as you do not want others to see the true emotions you are hiding behind. There are certain times in your life where being vulnerable to health and grieving is one of them. This vulnerability can be frightening, as it forces you to confront feelings you may have buried or avoided. Yet, it is within this vulnerability that healing begins.
Grief is an intense deep emotion where you will feel sadness, despair, anger, guilt, fear, depression and so many other combinations of these emotions. Botling all of this within yourself is not healthy. How can you be strong when your entire world has shattered right in front of your eyes?
In the last 3 months I have learned that the concept of being this “strong woman” can be very misleading. People grieve in different ways and the best therapy for me has been to share my personal loss with others so they can comprehend that behind every “strong smile” is actually a human being burdened with pain that is unimaginable. Do not hold back those tears as the more you cry, the wound starts to feel a little more bearable. Do not ignore the grief you hold inside. Share it so that you are listening to yourself as you heal. Just like we heal from a broken leg or major injury, the healing is in small steps. By sharing your grief, you take small steps towards learning to deal with the loss. No one will ever get over the loss, but you will learn to manage it a little better.
Allowing yourself to feel the full weight of your grief, to cry openly and share your pain with others, helps you process your loss and find a path forward. It is through this openness that connections with others deepen, as they offer comfort and understanding. Embracing your vulnerability during grief is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to the strength of your love and the significance of your loss.
