The World I Knew Will Never be the Same
I feel so alone. No one seems to understand.
There was before the loss and after. Everything seems different.
I used to know what my place in the world was. Things made sense.
Now I don’t even know who I am.
Everyone else seems to have gotten back to “life as usual” but I can’t go back to that.
How do I make make sense of the world now?
I can’t concentrate. I can’t enjoy the things I did before.
Eating, sleeping, spending time with friends…
I don’t want to bother anyone with this and make them uncomfortable.
Why am I still crying? I miss them so much.
What am I supposed to do now?
Art Therapy for Grief Can Help You Find Your New Path
Art making is messy.
Grief and trauma are messy.
Let’s roll up our sleeves, get our hands dirty,
and delve into it, together.
Things will never go back to the way they were, but you can find a new normal and live again.
It may sound strange now, but on the other side of your grief journey, you can create a greater appreciation of life and a deeper understanding of who you are.
You can choose what memories you hold, forever dear to you, what to memorialize, and what to put to rest.
“Stars can’t shine without darkness.”
Life is calling you to make new memories, cultivate and protect special moments, and answer the call to savor new experiences.
Imagine not just surviving, but thriving. Tiny pinpoints of hope grow and become larger. The dawn fills the sky. You connect in relationships, old and new. You experience the joy of the brilliant uniqueness of a sunrise. You see each of these experiences as precious, for they will never come the same way again.
It’s possible, and art therapy for grief can be your gateway.
Want to learn more? You may be interested in my blog post, 7 Common Myths About Grief.
I’m Maggi, art therapist in Columbus
and I get it.
I came to art therapy as a second career in my mid thirties when I needed a major life course correction. So I’ve been there.
I understand the confusion, the guilt and shame, the grief,
the seemingly never-ending tears. (I’m happy to say they do end, eventually).
I understand the utmost necessity of needing to go your own way and let go of the relationships, the old ways, and the old you that aren’t serving anymore.
I have also experienced the betrayal, estrangement, loneliness, the creative block, and the doubt. Oh! the dark, gruesome wrestling with yourself at night. I know that demon too.
I don’t agree with the adage of “everything happens for a reason.” Heck no, I wouldn’t wish some of the crap life serves up on anyone!
What I do know that that the clear day at the end of the catastrophic storm will dawn.
Difficult times in life can be a lot easier when someone has your back and is willing to sit with you in the dark.
I’ll be here with you through the whole process, wherever that journey takes you.
Getting Started with Grief Therapy is Easy
Book a Consultation
We’ll chat about what you’re hoping for and whether we are a fit to work together.
Schedule Online
Conveniently schedule your sessions online 24 hours a day.
Find Yourself
Start getting back to feeling yourself again- free from sadness and worry.
How can Art Therapy help with Grief?
Art is about creation- whether it’s creating meaning of what was or what will be.
Through art therapy, you are encouraged to literally make something of the pain you are feeling and then let it go.
Unresolved grief can sap you of your energy, your desire for life. There is hope for a brighter tomorrow.
How do I know if I need grief therapy?
While no two people experience loss in the same way, you may want to participate in grief therapy if you notice that it’s difficult for you to accomplish tasks that you normally would or that you are having difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Some people who have experienced loss may even develop symptoms of depression which may include fatigue, agitation, overwhelming feelings of sadness or dread, or even think their life isn’t worth living any more.
Art therapy for grief can help you find your unique path toward healing and wholeness.
What types of activities might be part of Art Therapy for Grief?
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing from grief, there are certain activities we might explore.
An activity I have used with many clients is creating a memorial project. This could be as simple as creating a box of mementos or trinkets- things that remind you of the time shared with your loved one.
Another exercise might include writing a letter or poem to your loved one.
Remember, grief therapy isn’t about forgetting; it’s about remembering.
Can I ever feel whole again?
There is no finish line when it comes to grief.
The last stage of grief is said to be acceptance, but what does that even mean?
For me, it means living our life in fullness again. No, the grief isn’t going to go away, nor should it
Grieving isn’t bad! It’s human.
Living our lives in the honor of those we have lost (or in some cases in spite of them).
That’s what it means to heal after loss.
How long will I feel this way?
There’s no easy answer to this question.
The answer is “it depends.” A good rule of thumb is that you need to get through the first year of anniversaries and special holidays to go through the worst of it.
There’s a myth that grief lasts up to a year, and there are concrete stages one goes through in the grief process.
Unfortunately, the Kubler Ross model was not designed for someone who had a loss but for someone who was dealing with the inevitability of their own death in a terminal illness.
Your grief journey will be as unique as you are.
How does Art Therapy work with Grief and Loss?
Art therapy is flexible to how you want to work on your process.
Some people like doing memorial projects to remember their loved ones.
Others are interested in the story telling process with altered books or black out poetry.
Still others need to focus on finding themselves and may do so with sculptures, or art dolls.
Finally others may want to connect back to the world and put their art pieces to interact with their environment through art made in nature from found objects, a stone stacking practice, kindness rocks left for others to find, or through community art.
There is always a way. I’m happy to help you find yours.
Ready to Get Started?
Have More Questions?
Schedule a free 30 minute consultation to learn more about art therapy for grief and loss.