Speak Your Pain

Coping with Grief / Coping with Grief : Eleanor Haley



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I've been having a hard time deciding what to write for today’s post. I’ve been a little tired lately. I’m a little too quick to accept that everything is bad and a little too weary to be positive and constructive. I feel like I’m failing all those who come here for productive and objective help, but today I’m afraid all I have to offer you is commiseration and a safe place to be sad.

I know to many it looks like I'm wallowing in negativity, but in my mind I'm just giving myself a break.  I'm allowing myself to feel bad because even though the positive end of the emotional spectrum is a lot more pleasant, there's a lot of benefit in understanding the negative end of the emotional spectrum as well. Acknowledging and feeling the full range of emotional experiences that life throws at us is, in my mind, a necessary part of human existence.  It is certainly a necessary stop on the path towards post-traumatic growth or what many call the 'transformative nature of pain/grief/whatever'.

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The trouble is, for one odd reason or another, we're often discouraged from spending any time in our pain.  Regardless of the hardship we face, many of the messages we receive explicitly and implicitly suggest we keep our feelings inside and for reasons like shame, fear, pressure, anxiety, and embarrassment, we comply.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I used to downplay idea that it helps just to talk. But then, I took for granted the fact that I've always had a supportive environment where I felt comfortable, safe, and accepted enough to express and explore my flaws, feelings, fears, and pain.  Some people have never had a support system strong enough to hold them up, and there aren't nearly enough safe spaces in the world to shelter all those who are lost and alone.

It's also true that sometimes our pain comes from a place so scary that we don't want to say it out loud, talk about it, or even admit it's true to ourselves. We feel safer avoiding our feelings because it shields us from pain; when in fact avoidance and the inability to express and experience emotions associated with our losses might be the very thing that's keeping us stuck and confused.

I don't know what you've been through and I don't know who you have to turn to, but if you've been holding your pain inside I would encourage you to take the first step and say it out loud.  Regardless of where your pain comes from, your experiences and feelings matter.  So say it...when you're ready...wait till no one is around and tell it to the sky if you have to, but say it.  Acknowledging the magnitude of your pain is an important first step in fumbling your way towards healing.

If you want to say it here in our comments section...say it.  You might find that you're not alone, or you might help someone else feel more understood and supported.

You could also...

  • Talk to a therapist or support group
  • Talk to a trusted family member or friend
  • Write it down on a piece of paper and then throw it away
  • Say it to your mirror, just to hear and see yourself say the words
  • Tell it to your cat or dog (seriously, why not?)

Yes we want you to acknowledge your pain, but we don't want you to live in forever-sadness, anger, resentment, numbness, guilt, regret, blame and bitterness. If you feel like your emotions have been impacting your daily functioning for longer than you are comfortable with, then I encourage you to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional

Also, I know sometimes things feel so bad it seems like they'll never change.  If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming themselves or someone else, then we encourage you to call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255.   We are just a website and we will never be able to take the place of a therapist, nor will we ever equal a trusted family or friend.  That being said, to the extent that we can, we are here for you.

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After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible, real-life book!

What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss is for people experiencing any type of loss. This book discusses some of the most common grief experiences and breaks down psychological concepts to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. It also shares useful coping tools, and helps the reader reflect on their unique relationship with grief and loss.

You can find What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss wherever you buy books:

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40 Comments on "Speak Your Pain"

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  1. B  March 27, 2021 at 12:22 pm Reply

    I stumbled across this article and it helped me so much! Im going to speak my pain because it truly hurts.

    I was married to a man who started abusing me literally 1 week after we got married. He also forced himself onto me to get me pregnant during our honeymoon even though I told him I wanted to wait a few years to have children. I tried to leave him several times, but he threatened me, and out of fear I stayed. When my son was 1, my then husband escalated the abuse, throwing things at me, pushing, yelling, cursing, calling me names, etc., I was finally able to leave one night when my husband was asleep. I took my son and went to file police reports. I filed for divorce the next day. I was able to get sole custody and supervused visitations, but I am forced to still interact with my ex husband and the pain is almost unbearable. I get anxiety attacks every time he writes or calls. The days when I have to take my son for visitation are so bad thay I begin hyperventilating sometimes, just from the thought of seeing his face.

    He is 37 and recently married the 20 year old he was cheating on me with (among several other women that I found out about later). He married her when she was 19, literally 4 months after our divorce was finalized.

    Both of my parents were hospotalized with Covid at the same time; I couldn’t see them or talk to them for 2 weeks while they were hospitalized. Then my grandmother died from Covid 2 weeks ago.

    My son is now in pre-k and has autism, and I am trying my best to homeschool him plus work my full time job.

    I did meet a man about 1.5 years ago (about a year after my divorce), and he told me he loved me and was very consistent and thoughtful. We connected on a deep level. He just told me yesterday that we can still hang out every week, but he wants someone younger so that he can have more children (he is divorced and he feels he was deprived from his experience of having a family). So basically, I realize that it was just a game for him and I was just being used as a placeholder to fill time until he found someone younger. I just turned 39.

    I feel numb inside and I’m really starting to have trouble getting out of bed. I have to keep pushing for my son.

    • Mother  September 5, 2022 at 5:54 pm Reply

      We as women are told how to be, how to look and how to keep quiet! It starts as a child! We are “to be seen and not heard”. Well I disagree! How much more can we take? Our silence speaks! From the beginning we as women have been mistreated around the world! Well, enough is enough! Speak your pain, let the lion roar, free yourself, cry out loud with boldness and strength! Your emotions must speak, give voice to your pain! Let’s brake the chains that has suppressed us, it starts with childhood! Look in the mirror and speak that which is true to you! You don’t deserve to hurt in such a way, just to be abandoned by many! You are enough, you are strong, you are the creator of all living beings, how much more should women be respected!

  2. Pottwat  January 11, 2021 at 12:05 am Reply

    Recently I was awakened…..with this sudden sense of understanding came with the nonstop need for venting. And it honestly feel so good to make peace with myself for some of them.
    I was scrolling fb and seen a post I’ve a thousand times but today it stood out. “What would you tell your younger self?” Today it made me see that changes needed to made for my daughter. It was so many things i buried after an dramatic summer i released alot, and really cut lots of dead weight. But now im flustered with all these emotions. Wanting to protect my children from what started way before me. So i send a group message to all my closest friends and family. The people I thought were in my corner. I understood that it might be hard for them to here my point of view. So my family likes to sweep shit under the rug. Which we all should know by now is not healthy. All the women had some type of domestic violence background. I honestly feel overall my parents did a great job. I do not wish to know details if not shared. I dont care how we got here just want all us to heal. This causing strain in my relationship he’s has the best intentions i know but is still dealing with his own shit. We here for each other but hurting at the same. I wanna throw it on the table. He rather hold it in. My immediate family as whole has gone threw it. I dont even know why im bothering i know whats priority. But in the future i would like to reconnect with my family. When they open their hearts and minds for acceptance of peace. I feel like im losing my husband and children…..my need to get this out is driving us all crazy. I want to communicate without being invasive…to see if they feel safe and love. But its scaring them and making me sad. I still feel misunderstood….because my only real support need support.
    Determined Mom

    • IsabelleS  January 11, 2021 at 11:02 am Reply

      I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. It sounds like you are taking steps to be the best mother possible. Have you considered seeking out the support of a therapist or counselor? All the best to you.

  3. Mark  May 15, 2020 at 6:02 pm Reply

    I’ve been I still am actually in love with someone that dosen’t love me back she was my best friend. We’ve slept together couple of times and I wanted to be with her she dosen’t love me back and it’s been almost 2 years since we’ve “been together” we barely talk. And she had a boyfriend then she broke up with him and now she have another one. I feel pain I am in obsession I keep checking her social media just so I can see her again. The pain it’s too much I sometimes barely eat because food losts its taste and sometimes I just cant stop eating. I barely sleep. I cant get her out of my head. I’m broken from the inside I just feel alone and lonely I’m only 18 it’s too much for me to bear. (Not suicidal but I still don’t see a reason to keep going or a reason to get out of bed)

  4. Amy smith  May 3, 2020 at 4:58 pm Reply

    Hi I’m 44 years old I’ve been with the same man for 8 years and here lately well the last year or so he has become distant. I go to work come home cook clean etc. I feel as if I’ve done something wrong or not doing something right. He has a lot of hobbies such has a Harley he’s goes riding all the time and most of the time I can’t go because I work and tend to my grandson. No hugs or loving from him just negative words when I say i feel about certain things.Its like he never wants to hear me and it just pushed me away. I feel like he has someone else who gives him what he needs how do I fix a broken heart I just wanna get back to what we had when we spent time together he use to tell me
    Don’t ever leave the house without telling me bye or giving him a hug but when he stopped I stopped because I feel like someone who doesn’t give you the same in return why should one do it…

  5. Bridget  March 2, 2020 at 5:51 pm Reply

    Having someone come to your house that you had no say in and don’t even know, is a huge struggle. I spent 2 years to get comfortable with this girl. She was 22 and I was 12 when she came, I am 14 now and she is 24, on and off struggles with drugs, people, and friends, that’s how my life has been for 2 years, I almost wanted to end it, but ever since my mom had stepped in, its been different, I love having someone- even if its one person- who cares to support you , and understands your daily struggles. So for those of you who are struggling with isolation, then find someone, just anyone, who loves and cares to listen and wont just cut you open to see you bleed, and wont go behind your back two-faced. Find someone who cares that will listen to you, before you think about ending it. I’ve learned to adjust to her, and she is now my bigger sister, and I love her dearly, now I don’t have to worry about anything anymore. She cares and is not just a stranger, but she is family now, and I love her.

  6. Ash  August 27, 2019 at 1:58 pm Reply

    I have lost my baby in still birth last year in Nov, I haven’t come out of this trauma yet, I conceived after 6 yrs of my marriage, I had taken lot of treatment then I achieved my pregnancy, but today I have lost everything, faith in God, faith in positivity, hard work, everything, feel like nothing left in life

  7. Aashriya  March 11, 2019 at 2:34 am Reply

    I am just 14 years old. I live in Nepal. I feel in love with a guy when I was 9 yrs old . He also had crush on me . We are now together like for 2 years . But my parents and teachers are totally against this plz…… Suggest me if I am wrong.. now a days I am physically and mentally tortured by my parents they don’t want me to talk with boys . Day before yesterday I went with some my friends and my boyfriend to a cafe and my parents came to know about it . They don’t talk with me nicely. They give me physical pain with sticks every day. I don’t even feel like coming back from school. My exams are going on and they don’t even want me to go to give my exams. My board exam is near too. I can’t concentrate on my studies I know this may be small thing for others but I don’t feel like doing anything. I am a small hearted person and I can’t bear any pain . Right now I have headache and I have burning eyes . I feel like I don’t wanna live anymore without support from my families ?……

    1
  8. chloe  March 9, 2019 at 10:50 am Reply

    I’ve had this best friend for, 11 years and she has this ex who i don’t like whatsoever and he’s constantly hurting her and i’m tired of having it in my life but i want her in my life. So i dropped her. I want my best friend ? i hate myslef for doing this to her because she’s always been there for me.

    • Chloe  January 11, 2021 at 12:14 am Reply

      My friend of 18yrs have separated many times over the years. And always come back together ❤ sisters for life. Sometimes we have separate for our independent growth. Whatever is to come take a deep breath and headout in confidence.

  9. A Girl  March 8, 2019 at 7:01 pm Reply

    Hi, I just wanted to share some of my feelings here, to feel kind of better

    I’m 17 years old girl, I was daddy’s little girl, I used to get along with him a lot but destiny wanted that he died when I was 11, leaving me with the eternal fear of losing those I love that are left here.

    I always had joint pain but my parents (both doctors) thought it was only growth pain. Turns out it wasn’t. I always had allergies and migraines, and when it became too much, my mom decided to do blood tests, turns out I probably have Lupus, an auto immunity disease that can affect heart, brain, kidneys and more. I’d be lying if I said I’m not afraid, especially that my dad had the same kind of illness..

    Later on I fell in love with a boy I knew from childhood, I nourished those feelings and hope, to discover at the end that he loves a friend of mind dearly, I felt all left out and broken when I figured it out. Something I was sure of, everyone was supportive of their relationship, so I could only accept it, and leave them alone with a supportive smile when they wanted to chat more intimately. Nothing was as painful as that.

    Here I am, today, I went through what seems to be a depression, I probably have anxiety, and anger-managing issues. I harmed my self in every possible way, and my arms are forever destroyed and ugly, what makes me feel worse. I’m still ill, both mentally and physically, and I’ve almost committed suicide two times, but didn’t, despite the thousands of suicidal thoughts I get.

    I want sometimes to complain to family, but they say they heard me tell the same story over and over again too much. I wrote a honest letter to my mom in which I tell what I’m going through, she answered after reading it that I’m a spoiled, ignorant child. So I won’t complain anymore.

    I just need some hugs, I just want to have someone to talk to, in the darkness of the night, when the world is asleep and my pain awakes. But I’m lonely, completely lonely.

    • Aashriya  March 12, 2019 at 12:15 pm Reply

      Is everything ok now ?? I can feel your pain through your text I don’t know how to react to anything such that but I just want to say that sooner or later everything will just be fine ❤?…it may take time sometimes u just have to worry less and hope that everything will just be fine……nothing is gonna last forever ………….

    • Chloe  January 11, 2021 at 12:24 am Reply

      Hey going thru something similar….give mom slack…..we go thru alot and not everyone had
      a a healthy outlet. My family filled wit secrets. She is only human and will need her own time and space to deal. Its gonna hurt but I’m sure she’ll come around.

  10. Michelle  November 17, 2018 at 8:16 am Reply

    Dear Eleanor,
    Hello, I came to your blog searching to answer why I can’t remember what I said to my sister in law last week when telling Her about how I deeply hurt by mydaughter because of my misperception of her pursuing satanic things (please don’t dismiss me as crazy yet). My daughter was greatly hurt by my misperception, and I was trying to tell this person how I felt so bad, and how I wished I had not thought ill of her. My dad had mistrusted me; I know what that pain feels like and it is the worst, and it is even more painful to think that I did this to my daughter. The reason I thought this of my daughter is because she was dying her hair black, and wore all black clothing, she was tattooing weird letters on her hands, and hiding tattoos by wearing long sleeves around me and distanced herself for many years and then she bought some kind of moon pearl ring which seemed weird to me so I looked it up and some weird dark websites came up, I in my head somewhat I guess justify that I thought that, but I really hurt her and she is a good woman.
    I on the other hand, come from a very broken background, and have started to question my own mental wellness in recent. I attend codependent CR group for the past 4 years and have no communication with my oldest son, my youngest daughter who’s 18 moved out last year and now lives with her dad. I do not have a close relationship with any of my kids, which really has made me start to think that maybe there is something wrong with me.
    The thing is that I can’t remember where the conversation went after I started to talk about it, and I am concerned that my sister in law will talk to my niece who is best friends with my daughter and my relationship with my daughter will be further severed, which is my fear, since my daughter and I recently started to work on having closer relationships.
    I guess the question I’m trying to answer is how does one determine if they just have broken relationships due to past hurts and hang ups and codependency, or if one is just not well mentally and should stay away from loved ones so they can’t be hurt by me anymore. And why can’t I recall what I said? Thank you.

  11. Jeff schrader  June 19, 2018 at 5:26 pm Reply

    how can someone not commit sucide when the pain is so intense they can nolonger take it. I suffer from failed groin pudential pain surgrey. and as a result of that my right heel is in so much burning nerve pain i can no longer put my shoe on after 2 oclock.. no depression here. no mourning of love break up…strickly pain..no meds work..surgreys failed..i must end my daily suffering. oh yes cant sit down.

  12. Sucheta Dasgupta  June 18, 2018 at 5:31 am Reply

    Litsa and Eleanor,

    Hi. Glad to have found your blog. I lost my father on March 28 to chronic kidney disease. He was 78. He was a doctor, a gardener, a teacher, a communist and my sage. I fought with him in a bid to spiritually better myself. But when the time came for me to share myself with him and share him with my world, he died. My struggle had been so hard and intense that I had forgotten its purpose towards the end. Though I had always thought it was intellectual rapprochement when actually it was regaining of his trust which I lost when I discontinued my studies and taking care of him. I am from West Bengal, India, by the way, aged 44 years. I don’t even have a child. My dad, my baba was very lonely and had neglected his own health even though he had known about his kidney condition since 2015. When we finally came to know and acted, it was too late. He loved me intensely, perhaps the most in the world. But the evening before he died, I told him I would not publish the collection of stories and pieces I had written that he had given me money to publish as they had been for him and if I had to give them to him it would mean their non-publication. He was intubated at that time and could not speak but was so hurt and angry it showed on his face. But I was slow to process and I said to him, I would do this the way you said I wouldn’t and I still did. His face had flashed in hurt but I said my I love you and I left. Because he was in the ICU and I could not stay. He died in the morning. Yours is the first resource I am reading to process.

    Thank you for creating this beautiful space.

  13. Elizabeth  May 5, 2017 at 1:19 pm Reply

    I agree with the others. This was very constructive. We need to feel safe expressing our grief. While I still have not had success finding a good mental health professional here, I am blessed to have a great support system (including 2 very affectionate cats). Sometimes I just call a friend or meet them in person to simply cry. I talk about Mike (my late husband) all the time. Sometimes I worry that people will get sick of hearing about him. But I don’t care. He was my soulmate and partner in crime and now he’s gone….except in my heart and mind. And that is where he will stay forever. I have been blessed to have him in my life, and it’s helpful to me to share the many memories we made.

  14. Barb Sasyk  January 25, 2017 at 7:52 pm Reply

    I have no support system from my family and friends. I hate everybody most of the time. But I don’t want to feel like that. I am just dead inside. It will be one year anniversary of my husband’s death 2/28/2016 and the closer it gets the more closed off I feel.

    • Jo  May 5, 2017 at 10:14 am Reply

      It’s so sad when family and friends aren’t supportive during the most devastating time(s) in your life. I, too, am lacking that support from many friends and most of the family that I “used to have”. I get depressed. I feel sad, down, unworthy,; ask myself “what did I DO to ‘deserve’ this?” I don’t know how to “confront” those who have been disrespectful or mean or have not reached out; for those who seem to think it is all about themselves.
      I struggle, too, with figuring out my “new life” as a widow. Unexpected. Sudden. And not welcome whatsoever.
      I try to keep a good attitude and have hope that I will figure things out and be able to be in my new world…nurture me, take care of me, be good to me. But it is so fucking hard. I don’t want to be alone without him. I miss us. I wanted to share my life with him for many more years. 33 years wasn’t enough.
      If I could reach through this blog and give you a warm, loving, kindly hug, I would. Since I can’t, I’ll simply send hope and love your way and hope you can hold onto that for just a little bit, making your day a bit more enjoyable even if for a moment.

  15. Zenith  December 15, 2016 at 12:16 am Reply

    I miss my dad but I never met him. It has been almost 2 yrs since he passed away. How can I mourn for someone who I remember leaving at the a very young age. I can count my fingers for memories and one of them was him leaving. I miss him and forever will. I was mad and pretended I didn’t care not having a father around. I don’t know how to grieve when there’s no memory to grieve. God has shown me truth and peace that’s the only reason why grieving has been less louder in silence

    • Litsa  December 16, 2016 at 8:48 am Reply

      Zenith, I am so sorry for the loss of you dad. Grieving someone who we had a complicated relationship with is, well, complicated! But we absolutely grieve people we can’t remember. You may be grieving feelings like the loss of having a father in your life, loss of the ability to get to know him because he wasn’t around, and even grieving the loss of having a ‘normal’ grief experience, with traditional memories to hold on to. You may find some ideas in this post helpful, though it was written for parents with children who don’t remember their parent. There are many ideas that apply to people of any age who don’t remember someone who died.

  16. Debby  August 11, 2016 at 4:57 pm Reply

    The sad thing is no one has any idea how to cope with or deal with someone who has suffered a loss. That’s until you find yourself in that situation, then unfortunately you become an expert in a way. No one wants to be around a “Debbie Downer”, people have their own issues and tend to keep away from anyone who is a bit “low” for fear of dragging themselves down. So we keep it bottled up, we put on a brave face and then we take it out on the small, select group of people we know we can rely on, thank god for that small group who don’t care how much you “wallow” in your grief and are there no matter what.
    I witnessed a Pacific Island funeral right before my nephews funeral and the poor lady was wailing, (which was heartbreaking to witness) apparently that’s an accepted tradition, I really think that would help in all situations, we tend to be stoic and be brave for everyone else when all everyone wants to do is wail.
    We all need to be allowed to be sad, have bad days and keep mourning for how ever long it takes, there are no rules, grief affects everyone differently and people just need to accept that one day, guaranteed, they will be in a similar situation.
    Sad but true unfortunately.

  17. Lynn R.  September 14, 2015 at 4:06 pm Reply

    Hi Eleanor, not at all NOT constructive! Sometimes, our most constructive times are the messy, disorganized, tearful, terrifying, painful, paralyzing and just plain f@&ked up moments… I faked it until I made it for a long time (actually until I didn’t make it). it was a lie. All of it a lie and not a healthy attitude. I was afraid of loosing friends but you find out who your friends truly are. Trying to stay positive. Trying to never keep repeating that I was still sad, fearful and lost and in the darkest loneliest corner of my life. Hi Eleanor, not at all NOT constructive! Sometimes, our most constructive times are the messy, disorganized, tearful, terrifying, painful, paralyzing and just plain f@&ked up moments… I faked it until I made it for a long time (actually until I didn’t make it). Trying to stay positive. Trying to never keep repeating that I was still sad, fearful and lost and in the darkest loneliest corner of my life. I eventually had a breakdown and finally reached out for help and I’m terrified. You’re keeping it honest and real and I need that xoxo

  18. Janna McGregor  September 13, 2015 at 6:18 am Reply

    Yes!! Our marriage counselor was awesome in helping us recognize “some days just be sad.” He showed us that leaning on each other during the sad days (instead of pushing each other apart) actually brought us closer. Its weird but for us its true. We are approaching the five year anniversary of Thomas’ death and the anticipation of this day and Christmas takes my breath away. But when i allow that sadness to just ‘be’ it releases it instead of holding it inside. Great post.

    • Eleanor  September 19, 2015 at 9:29 am Reply

      It sounds like you had a wise marriage counselor. I’m so glad you were able to find your way closer to one another rather than apart. I hope you are able to finds moments of peace as the 5 year anniversary approaches.

  19. Kim  September 12, 2015 at 3:53 pm Reply

    Hi Eleanor

    I am mental health counselor in GA who subscribed to your -very- valuable website when I was asked to work with a hospice bereavement coordinator in early 2014. Fast forward 15 months to find out my mother, age 68 and my biggest life support, friend, & cheerleader, had a very aggressive lung/brain/spine cancer. Long story short, despite palliative treatments that kept her very sick (but her choice to try) & me moving in almost immediately to be her full-time caregiver, she died in less than 4 months. It was a 24/7 gig & the toughest job I’d ever had emotionally, mentally, physically, & soulfully. I still am glad I did it.

    It is 12 days after her death, & I feel as if my internal organs have been ripped out, and I am being forced to regrow them. Despite all the clinical training & experience…despite losses of my father, 2 mid-term pregnancies with no living children, & divorce…and despite great friends (there is no family except me & her bachelor younger brother), it is still the most challenging emotional pain I have ever had. I am doing all the right things, including professional mental health help through the hospice, but am still crushed by the pain & overwhelming responsibility of being the sole person in charge of all this.

    Eleanor, YOUR ABOVE BLOG POST helped -so- very much. Validation is such a gift. It is great to have your professional/personal opinion to know it is OK to feel like sh*t on a shingle right now when the world has kept on spinning. I am finding small joys but the pain is immense.

    Please accept my heartfelt thanks. You provided a little joy in that validation for me today, and I am grateful. And my clients and I have benefited greatly from your amazing site. Thank you to you & Litsa for your vulnerability and your guidance.

    • Eleanor  September 19, 2015 at 9:24 am Reply

      Oh Kim, I’m so sorry about your mother’s death. Ugh, all I know is that it is awful. I’m really glad to hear the post helped. It is certainly okay to feel like crap on some days – especially in the weeks and however long following a death. My heart goes out to you.

      Eleanor

  20. mas5  September 11, 2015 at 8:35 am Reply

    Thanks for the heartfelt post, always a comfort reading the discussion and posts. Yes, pets are great to ‘talk’ to on those really sad days.

  21. Taryn Lacey  September 11, 2015 at 8:27 am Reply

    I still enjoyed reading your post, although you didn’t think it was constructive! What I took from it is that it’s OK to feel; what a valuable message. Thank you for writing today, have a great weekend!

  22. Clare  September 11, 2015 at 5:48 am Reply

    Thank you for your real heartfelt post. I know how scary it can be to feel the pain of my own losses, and how long I spent denying even to myself the pain, due to initial ‘survival pressure’ as a small child to ‘keep it in’, and later ‘unacceptance ‘ by other well meaning caring people. Think it’s important to recognise too that grief is a life long journey, that is like the sea or weather with changing tides or weather, some times it rains so hard and for so long doubt that the sun will ever come out again can take hold in the mindset, yet the sun does come out again. Love your post. Thank you.

  23. Vicki  September 11, 2015 at 1:05 am Reply

    That’s why I have a literal “fit” to throw. Someone made it out of red, white and blue yarn and put eyes on it then attached a card that explains it. It says “I am a Fit. I am here to help you through all of your Tantrums. When you feel your blood boiling and your temper at a breaking point, don’t throw something that might break.
    Just pick me up and Throw a Fit.”
    I thought it was crazy when I first got it, I was sure it couldn’t possibly work but it did. It even makes me feel a tiny bit calmer.
    I used to go to a group called Parents of Murdered Children (for the family and friends of those who die by homicide. That’s where I got the Fit I just described.
    It helps with unrelenting rage that is truly frightening IMO to experience.
    It does nothing, however, for the pain I felt all over my body before I went to sleep when I never should have been tired. Not after having been awake for only 7 hours. How could I have even been tired?

  24. Anna Bee  September 10, 2015 at 9:48 pm Reply

    Don’t know why you think you were not being constructive. This is what I got: Allow yourself to feel your pain, with or without what ever help you may have around. (dogs!) And secondly, do one of the half dozen things you list at the end.
    The most beautiful point, to allow yourself to occasionally inhabit your painful place.
    Eye opening and heart warming.
    …And in your painful place today – feel my virtual shoulder against yours.

    • Eleanor  September 19, 2015 at 9:22 am Reply

      Thanks for your comment Anna 🙂 It sounds like you definitely ‘got me’. Thanks for reading and for your support.

  25. Pat  September 10, 2015 at 9:28 pm Reply

    You were constructive. Thank you. I feel this way today…just let me be sad today.

  26. Dorothy Paugh  September 10, 2015 at 8:36 pm Reply

    Love this post. May I reprint and use an excepted version in Oct or Nov?

    • Eleanor  September 19, 2015 at 9:10 am Reply

      Hey Dorothy,

      I’m sorry I didn’t respond initially. Yes you may absolutely. Thank you for asking.

      Eleanor

  27. D. Johnson  September 10, 2015 at 7:58 pm Reply

    Yes, but people fail to mention some of the very real, potentially harmful, consequences of showing negative feelings. There’s blackmail, losing your job, having a traceable, permanent police involvement record, having over zealous social workers tear your family apart and leave scars for generations, being the victim of a “mandatory reporter” who misunderstood you. Serious stuff. I like the last one– talk to the pet. They can, usually, be trusted. (Ha ha!)

    • Eleanor  September 19, 2015 at 9:20 am Reply

      Right, so when these things are the potential outcome I guess the best thing someone can do is at least find ways to acknowledge their pain to themselves or, as you said, a pet 🙂

  28. Ginny  September 10, 2015 at 7:34 pm Reply

    Lovely and honest. Thanks

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