Losing a loved one is one of life’s most devastating experiences.
It’s unthinkable — yet true. It’s real, yet the rest of the world seems to carry on as if nothing has happened.
We need to do something, yet it feels as though there’s nothing we can do.
Life might feel dull, colorless, pointless. Or we may have pent up energy with no outlet. We may want to cry, or scream, or just sit in silence.
It’s lonely
It can be more than one loss, since nobody seems to know what to do, and many slink away. And one loss can become a cascade of losses, as activities, places, groups, etc. can begin to feel inaccessible.
Grief comes in waves.
Sometimes we’re sad. Sometimes we’re angry. Sometimes we feel guilty. Sometimes we feel numb. Sometimes, maybe, we’re absolutely fine. Sometimes it’s some or all of these things together. How do we share this? Who could understand?
It’s complicated.
What if I had unresolved issues with the person who died? What if I still carry anger or resentment toward them? What if I feel myself somehow responsible for the loss — or blame someone else I love? How can I get to all my emotions when one giant feeling (or numbness) blocks the way to the rest?
An Action Group
In an action group, we bring our experiences to three-dimensional life in the room. This can include such things as:
- Saying the things that were left unsaid.
- Showing the irreplaceable things that you miss about your loved one.
- Presenting the times you’ve felt misunderstood, abandoned, or let down by the living.
- If needed: Tantrum at the dead, at other survivors, at God or the universe.
- If needed: Labor (metaphorically akin to birth labor) of mourning.
- When words fail: sound, movement, sculpture and touch.
In these ways and others, you’ll find ways to express all of the different things inside of you that may need expressing as healthy aspects of grieving.
If you’re curious to hear more, please contact me.
I expect this to be an 8-week group, starting when we have the right number of people (i.e., 6-8).
Click here to join the Action Group email list
Grief Group
(An Action Group for those in Grief)
Balancing Acts
(All-Gender Action Group)
Empathy for Dudes
(Men’s Action Group)