5 STAGES OF GRIEF

Denial:
In the denial stage, individuals may struggle to accept the reality of the loss. They may minimize or reject the significance of the event as a way to protect themselves from the emotional impact.

Anger: 
As denial fades, anger can emerge. Individuals may feel a range of emotions, including frustration and resentment. This anger may be directed towards themselves, others, or even the situation itself.

Bargaining:
In an attempt to regain control or reverse the loss, individuals may engage in bargaining. This can involve making deals with a higher power ("If you let them live, I'll go back to church every Sunday"), seeking compromises ("I can't go to dinner with them, but I can still text my ex.") or expressing a desire to go back in time ("If I only kept my feelings to myself, we wouldn't have argued and broken up.")

Depression: 
The reality of the loss begins to set in more deeply during the depression stage. Feelings of sadness, regret, and a sense of helplessness may prevail as individuals grapple with the full weight of their emotions.

Acceptance: 
The final stage involves coming to terms with the reality of the loss. Acceptance does not necessarily mean happiness or complete resolution but rather a recognition that life must go on and that a new normal can be established.

5 PHASES OF GRIEF

Shock & Numbness: 
This is often the initial reaction to a significant loss. People may feel a sense of disbelief or emotional numbness as they struggle to absorb the reality of the situation.

Yearning & Searching: 
After the shock wears off, individuals may experience intense feelings of yearning and a deep desire to be reunited with what or whom they have lost. They may engage in activities or behaviors aimed at finding a way to cope with the loss.

Disorganization & Despair: 
This phase involves a period of emotional turmoil and confusion. Grief can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of despair, hopelessness, and a sense of being unable to move forward.

Reorganization & Recovery: 
Gradually, individuals begin to find ways to reorganize their lives in the absence of what they've lost. This phase is characterized by a gradual return to a new sense of normalcy and the ability to engage with life more fully. Memories aren't lost, but it is often like the person "expanded" in order to create space for all the feelings they have about the loss.