Hello fellow widows,

Visit my website www.CoachingForWidows.com and check out the links and resources page for additional helpful information.

Today, I wanted to address the stages of grief. It is important to lay it all out there. I'm sure most of you have read these stages some place or another. I'll place the stage overview on today's blog and over the next few weeks will go more deeply into each stage and share some reflections and pose some questions to you the reader to serve your journey as well.
The goals of grief work are not to find ways to avoid or bypass the emotional turmoil and upsets brought by your loss. Instead, they involve working through the tasks and emotions of each stage of grief.

STAGE 1: ACCLIMATION AND ADJUSTMENT
· Adjusting, Functioning, Keeping in Check, Accepting Support

STAGE 2: EMOTIONAL IMMERSION AND DECONSTRUCTION
· Contending with reality, Development of Insight, Reconstructing personal values and beliefs, Acceptance and letting go.

STAGE 3: RECLAMATION AND RECONCILIATION
· Development of social relations, Decisions about change in lifestyle, Renewal of self-awareness, Acceptance of responsibility.


The clearest indicator of successful grief work, and the “end” of this last stage, is your ability to live with the memory of your loss without it filling your thoughts and affecting your daily feelings and behaviors.

Question for you, the reader of this blog: "Where are you in your stage of grief? What do you think and feel will serve you in your journey?" Please know, it is okay and it is really good to ask for help...Until next time.
Warmly,
Colleen