Understanding Grief After Divorce: A Journey Through the Five Stages
You know, the definition of grief is that it is a reaction to a loss, and to better understand what you're grieving, you need to identify your losses.
Divorce can feel like a storm that leaves you adrift in a sea of emotions. In this episode of the 'Surviving Divorce Podcast', the focus is on the five stages of grief and how they play out during and after a separation. Hosted by G.D. Lengacher, a life coach who has walked this path himself, the podcast offers a beacon of hope and practical advice for anyone struggling to find their way through the turmoil of divorce.
The five stages of grief, as identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But don't worry, you won't necessarily experience them in a neat, linear order. Denial might sneak up on you when you least expect it, making you question if the divorce is even real. Anger can manifest in various ways, from snapping at loved ones to more destructive behaviors.
Bargaining might have you making deals with yourself or a higher power in a desperate attempt to change your reality. Depression can be a heavy blanket of sadness and fatigue that makes it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, acceptance is where you start to come to terms with your new reality and begin to rebuild your life.
This episode is packed with insights to help you identify which stage you're in and how to move forward. Whether it's finding healthy ways to express your anger or understanding the deep sadness that comes with depression, the podcast provides a safe space to explore these emotions. There's even a free losses inventory checklist to help you pinpoint what you're grieving—be it financial stability, your home, or your identity as a spouse.
By tuning in, you'll gain valuable tools to navigate your grief and start healing. It's not just about surviving divorce; it's about finding hope and rebuilding your life.