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Grief’s Key Step: Finally Wanting a New Life as Much as Wanting an Old Life Back
For myself, as time passes I increasingly believe I am on my way.
Introduction
Let me be clear from the outset: There are many key steps for a survivor to ascend when in the midst of grief. Among them are acceptance of a new circumstance, learning not to rush the grieving process, finding reason to move forward and expecting the unexpected along the way.
Grief is individual; no two people grieve in the same way.
Grief is also not linear.
Because it is not linear, I have spent the better part of the last five months deciphering my own path.
My greatest lesson so far?
As I have successfully navigated the steps as listed above, clouds are gradually clearing and revealing a productive future. I have come to the conclusion survivors have a right and sometimes an obligation — in honor of their lost loved one(s) — to not only live on but to thrive.
Subsequently, as I cannot return to my old life, I find myself increasingly looking forward to what comes next, an organic progression that for me is proving to be the most important step of all.