You've probably heard about the five stages of grief: emotional responses to loss, first introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying. The five stages are:
Denial: This is the initial reaction to loss, where the person refuses to believe that the death or loss has happened. They may act as if the person is still alive or make plans for the future as if the loss had not occurred.
Anger: This is a natural reaction to loss, where the person feels angry at the person who died, themselves, or the world for taking away the loved one. They may lash out verbally or physically, or become withdrawn and isolated.
Bargaining: This is a stage where the person tries to make deals with God or fate in an attempt to bring the loved one back. They may make promises to change their behavior or do good deeds in exchange for the person's return.
Depression: This is a stage of deep sadness and despair, where the person feels hopeless and lost. They may cry frequently, have difficulty sleeping or eating, and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
Acceptance: This is the final stage of grief, where the person comes to terms with the loss and begins to move on with their life. They may still feel sad or miss the loved one, but they are able to function in their daily life and find joy in other things.
What if I told you that knowing these five stages may not be helpful AT ALL to you or those in your life who are grieving. My friend Buffy Peters, an expert on grief, joins me to talk about the biggest myths involving grief and what the grief process ACTUALLY involves. Listen below: