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.

Joel Eisenberg
6 min readMay 2, 2024

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Me and Lorie, early for a 2023 Boy George concert at the Hollywood Bowl; Hollywood, CA

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.

Opinion: Is it…

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Joel Eisenberg

Joel Eisenberg is an award-winning author, screenwriter, and producer. The Oscar in the profile pic isn’t his but he’s scheming. WGA and Pen America member.