3 uncommon truths about stored grief.

Grief is more than thoughts, or feelings, it is a full body experience. It impacts our entire bodies. Which means what we do with our grief can make a tremendous difference. Whether we stuff it, store it, reserve it, repress it - or we allow it, feel it, work through it, honor it, finding our unique ways to move it and respect it the way it deserves.

Recently I heard that the loss of a love is like a rock. We can stick it in our pocket, we can hold it up to view it, we can stick it in a bag we are carrying, we can hold it to our heart… but we are carrying it from now until forever. HOW we carry it can change, where we carry it can change, how we and when we choose to. look at it may change. But the weight and size of it won’t diminish. But, in carrying that rock, we will develop new techniques, muscles, and balance. We will learn, we will adapt.

One of the best parts of walking through grief with someone is finding the beautifully bittersweet ways of allowing, honoring and working through the hard spaces of adjusting to this added weight of grief. This is where we find hope.

Hope is not sticking a bandaid of words or ideas over pain, it is in hearing, feeling, sharing, and processing stories, memories, and current grief impact on our hearts, minds, bodies and relationships. Grief isn’t about letting go but about carrying it with. That idea has some discomfort that comes with because who wants to feel loss forever, and it brings a sense of relief with permission to be vulnerably raw about the truth of what you are feeling today.

I’m rooting for you in the space of this. I’m praying God is meeting you right where you are, showing you it is okay, all the feelings. He is not disappointed, or distant, he is ever-presently in this with you. Just as you are. And maybe the hardest part is feeling that or believing it. But I pray you do. I pray you know that you know, that God has never walked away, or taken his eyes off of you, he has been holding you all along. All you need to do right now is find ways to rest in that truth.

If you would like to book an appointment with me to discover some ways to move through your grief, you can set up a consult appointment here.

5 Surprising Symptoms from Held Grief

Dealing with grief isn't just about “feeling” sad—it can also show up in surprising physical ways that you might not be aware of. Often in grief we are just trying to get by, pushing on and/or sometimes repressing. These common responses may work short-term but long term can create some additional setbacks for us. Here are five unexpected physical symptoms that can come from grief unexpressed (or unmoved):

1. Aching All Over: Ever noticed your body feels achy or sore for no apparent reason? Grief can actually make your muscles tense up, causing back pain, headaches, or even joint stiffness.

2. Tummy Troubles: When you're grieving, it's not uncommon to experience digestive issues like stomachaches, bloating, or changes in your bathroom routine. Stress really does a number on your gut!

3. Catch Every Cold: Grief can weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to catching every bug that goes around. So, if you find yourself constantly under the weather, it might be more than just bad luck.

4. Heart Flutter: Have you ever felt your heart racing or fluttering unexpectedly? Emotional stress from grief can cause palpitations or irregular heartbeats that can feel pretty unsettling.

5. Sleep Struggles: Whether it's trouble falling asleep or feeling exhausted all the time, grief can seriously mess with your sleep patterns. It's like your mind and body are working overtime, making it hard to get the rest you need.

Recognizing these physical signs of grief is important because it shows how much our emotions can impact our bodies. Taking care of yourself during tough times isn't just about talking it out—it's also about being kind to your body, getting support from friends and family, and maybe even seeking help from a professional if you need it. Remember, it's okay to feel all these things, and taking care of yourself is always the right move.

If you feel stuck or are looking to find new ways to process your grief, you can sign up for a 30 min. consult with me here.