Living Life with Grief: It's Okay to Not be Okay

Consider this your Save the Date for my upcoming Ted Style Talk in October

#grief #griefjourney #tedtalk #permissiongranted #savethedate #october

As some of you know I am in school studying to get my Master's in Psychology. my graduation date is December 18, 2024. As a part of my program one of our assignments will be to do a Ted Style Talk.

My TED-style talk will focus on navigating grief, emphasizing its personal yet universal impact. I will share my journey, highlighting moments of darkness, the power of gratitude, and the non-linear nature of grief. I will discuss the power of vulnerability, the importance of support systems, and aim to inspire others to embrace their grief and find their unique paths to healing.

My journey with grief began at the age of 5 when I was encouraged to stay "strong" for my mother, a concept I didn't fully grasp. At 10, in 1997, my brother was tragically murdered, and I was once again told to be "strong". During my senior year of high school, my grandfather passed away unexpectedly, and the same advice followed. In 2005, I received a message from God for my grandmother, urging her not to give up until she sought forgiveness for some past actions. A year later, my grandmother peacefully passed away after fulfilling this. The call to be "strong" echoed once more. In 2012, my mother's passing from a stroke and aneurysm changed me forever. It was then that I was granted permission to let go of being strong and allow myself to grieve. Through this process, I gained profound insights into the various types of grief and their distinct impacts.

While exploring grief, I gained insights into its effects on our surroundings. A crucial lesson I discovered is the true essence of being "strong," which I uncovered through the study of strength-based coaching and therapy. Strength-based therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes our internal strengths, fosters resilience, and harnesses our resourcefulness. Additionally, I learned about the role of gratitude in navigating challenging moments of grief. Gratitude, it turns out, acts as a powerful anchor, grounding us when the waves of sorrow threaten to sweep us away. By focusing on what we still have, rather than what we have lost, we can find pockets of light even in the darkest times. This practice doesn't diminish our pain but rather provides a counterbalance, a way to honor both our grief and our capacity for hope.

Moreover, sharing our stories and experiences with others can create a sense of community and understanding. Connection with others who have faced similar challenges can be incredibly healing, reminding us that we are not alone. Whether through support groups, therapy sessions, or simply talking with friends and family, these interactions can provide comfort and strength.

As I delved deeper, I also found that creative expression—be it through writing, painting, music, or any other form—serves as a valuable outlet for processing emotions. It allows us to externalize our feelings, to give shape to our sorrow, and to transform it into something meaningful. In doing so, we can begin to see our journey through grief not just as a path of suffering, but as a testament to our love and resilience.

For my Ted Style presentation, I've decided to narrate my personal journey live before an audience, similar to a classic TED Talk. While I've been documenting my experiences in a blog and could simply present that along with its impact through a voiceover, I believe this is an excellent chance to discuss grief and how strength-based therapy not only allows us to grieve but also guides us to discover our resilience. By sharing my story, I hope to shed light on the often-taboo subject of grief, demonstrating that it is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our love and humanity. My journey began with a profound loss that left me feeling shattered and uncertain. However, through strength-based therapy, I learned to embrace my pain and recognize the inherent strengths that lay within me.

Instead of focusing solely on the loss, this approach encouraged me to celebrate the memories and the love that continues to live on. It taught me that while grief is an inevitable part of life, it also has the power to transform us in unexpected ways. We become more empathetic, more connected to others, and more aware of our own capabilities.

In my presentation, I will share specific strategies and exercises that helped me navigate my grief. From journaling and mindfulness practices to connecting with supportive communities, these tools not only facilitated my healing but also empowered me to reclaim my narrative.

I want to emphasize that resilience is not about bouncing back to who we were before the loss; it is about growing around our grief, integrating it into our lives, and finding a new sense of purpose. Through my story, I aim to inspire others to see their own potential for resilience and to approach their grief with compassion and courage.

Ultimately, my goal is to create a space where we can openly discuss grief and strength, fostering a community that supports one another through the darkest of times. By doing so, we can transform our collective pain into a source of collective strength, making us all more resilient in the face of life's inevitable challenges.

I would love for you to be there! Check your inbox for the official date. If you are not subscribed then what are you doing? Click the button below. You can also follow me on Instagram at @TaMaraLynna. I look forward to sharing the date with you and seeing you there!

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