Dr. Philip Bennett

Grief is a deeply personal journey, one that can look different for everyone. Sometimes, it feels like you’re walking through life in a haze, unable to move forward. You might ask yourself, “Why does it feel like I can’t get past this?” It’s common to feel stuck in grief, especially after a major loss. Understanding when you're stuck is the first step toward healing, and seeking guidance from a grief coach can help you find your way.

1. The Unseen Weight: Emotional Numbness

Have you felt like your emotions are locked away, even though you know you’re supposed to feel something? Emotional numbness is a powerful sign that you might be stuck in your grief. It’s like walking through life on autopilot, going through the motions without truly feeling. Grief can sometimes build walls around our hearts, leaving us unable to connect with our emotions. If you find it hard to cry or feel joy or sadness, it’s a signal that you may need help to process what you’re going through.

Why It Happens:

● Overwhelming sadness: Sometimes the pain is so deep that the mind shuts down the emotional response to protect you.

● Avoidance of feelings: We often try to avoid feeling the pain of loss, but that only delays the healing process.

How Grief Coaching Can Help:

● A grief coach in Colorado Springs can help you identify these emotional walls and gently guide you toward breaking them down.

● Through conversations and personalized exercises, coaching can help you reconnect with your feelings in a safe, controlled way.

2. Stuck in the Past: Reliving the Loss Over and Over

Are you constantly replaying the events of your loss, feeling like you’re stuck in a loop? It’s common to get stuck in the “what ifs” or to constantly relive the details of the loss. This mental loop can be exhausting and overwhelming, preventing you from moving forward. If your thoughts continually spiral back to the same painful memories without any resolution, you may be stuck in your grief.

Why It Happens:

● Fixating on the past: Sometimes we replay painful memories because they feel like the last connection we have to our loved one or our old life.

● Inability to process: If you haven’t fully processed the emotions surrounding your loss, your brain may continue to focus on the details in an attempt to understand or control the pain.

How Grief Coaching Can Help:

● Grief coaching helps you break free from the cycle of reliving painful memories by providing a safe space to process them.

● A grief coach can work with you to reframe your thoughts, helping you let go of the “what ifs” and focus on healing.

3. Isolation: Feeling Alone in Your Grief

Grief often isolates us. Have you been avoiding social situations or keeping to yourself more than usual? Isolation is a natural reaction to loss, but it’s also a sign that you might be stuck. If you're withdrawing from your support system, afraid to talk about your grief, or feel like no one understands, this could be a sign that you need help. Being alone with your grief can make the pain feel even more overwhelming.

Why It Happens:

● Fear of burdening others: You may avoid talking about your feelings because you don’t want to overwhelm your friends or family.

● Unshared pain: Grief can make you feel like no one else understands your experience, leading to a sense of loneliness.

How Grief Coaching Can Help:

● A grief coach provides a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express your emotions freely without fear of burdening anyone.

● With coaching, you’ll learn how to reconnect with others and allow them to support you during this difficult time.

4. Chronic Fatigue: Grief's Hidden Toll on Your Energy

Have you been feeling physically drained, unable to summon the energy for even the simplest tasks? Grief isn’t just emotional—it takes a toll on your body. If you’re constantly fatigued, even after a full night’s sleep, it may be a sign that your grief is unresolved. When the heart is heavy, the body often follows suit, and fatigue can set in. If you're stuck in grief, your body may be signaling that it’s time to seek support.

Why It Happens:

● Emotional exhaustion: Grieving is a mentally exhausting process, and your body can feel worn out from the emotional weight.

● Unprocessed grief: If you're not fully addressing your grief, your body may hold onto the pain in physical ways.

How Grief Coaching Can Help:

● Through grief coaching, you'll explore ways to release some of the emotional tension that is contributing to your physical fatigue.

● Coaches can guide you through restorative practices that help you heal both emotionally and physically.

Outcome: