The Unfolding of Grief
When Emily lost her mother, she was unprepared for the emotional storm that followed. At first, she couldn’t believe it—her mind refused to accept the reality of her mother’s absence. Then came the anger, an overwhelming frustration at the world, at doctors, at fate itself. She found herself bargaining in quiet moments: If only I had been there sooner, maybe she would still be alive. But nothing changed. Depression soon settled in, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. And yet, over time, she found herself learning to live with the loss. Acceptance did not erase the pain, but it allowed her to carry it differently.
Emily’s journey through grief reflects what psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross outlined in 1969—the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This model, though widely known, is not a rigid structure. Grief does not follow a strict timeline, and people may revisit certain stages multiple times. Yet understanding these stages can offer clarity, helping individuals recognize that their emotions are part of a natural and deeply human process.
“I thought moving through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance would be neat and orderly—but my grief had its own rhythm. Learning I wasn’t ‘failing’ by looping back to anger was a huge relief.”
When Grief Takes Many Forms
Denial: The Initial Shock
Denial is a protective mechanism, the mind’s way of buffering the immediate pain of loss. It allows individuals to slowly process the reality of what has happened, preventing emotional overload.
Common Reactions in the Denial Stage:
“This can’t be happening.”
“There must be a mistake.”
Feeling emotionally numb or detached from reality.
Continuing with daily routines as if nothing has changed.
Denial often serves an essential purpose—giving the mind time to adjust before facing the full weight of grief.
Continued Signs That Grief Can Weigh Heavily
Anger: The Search for Someone to Blame
Once denial begins to fade, grief frequently manifests as anger. This stage is fueled by frustration, helplessness, and the deep unfairness of loss.
Anger in Grief Often Sounds Like:
“Why did this happen to me?”
“Who is responsible for this?”
Feeling easily irritated or prone to sudden outbursts.
Experiencing resentment toward others who are not grieving.
Although anger can be distressing, acknowledging and expressing it can be an important step toward healing.
Depression: The Weight of the Loss
Depression is often the longest and most challenging stage of grief. Reality sets in, and individuals may experience profound sadness, emptiness, or withdrawal.
Signs of Depression in Grief:
Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Fatigue, insomnia, or excessive sleeping.
Withdrawing from social interactions.
If this deep sadness interferes with daily functioning for a prolonged period or includes suicidal thoughts, professional support is essential.
“Grief may burden you, but it also underscores the depth of the love that once brightened your world.” — Ariella M.
Bargaining: Attempting to Regain Control
Bargaining is the stage where people try to negotiate with fate, God, or themselves, seeking to undo or soften the loss.
Common Bargaining Thoughts:
“If I had only done something differently, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”
“If I promise to be a better person, maybe the pain will go away.”
Turning to prayer or spiritual negotiations for comfort.
Reliving the past and imagining alternative scenarios.
Bargaining is the mind’s way of seeking control in a situation that feels uncontrollable, offering a temporary sense of hope before deeper grief sets in.
Acceptance: Integrating the Loss
Acceptance does not mean “moving on” or forgetting; it’s a shift in perspective—acknowledging that life continues despite the absence.
Acceptance Often Involves:
Recognizing that while grief remains, it no longer dominates daily life.
Finding new purpose or meaning despite the loss.
Feeling moments of peace alongside the sadness.
Honoring the lost loved one while embracing the future.
Acceptance is not an end point but a point where pain coexists with a redefined sense of normal.
The Non-Linear Nature of Grief
Though these five stages provide a lens for understanding grief, remember:
🔹 Grief Isn’t a Checklist: People can move through the stages in different orders, skip some, or revisit others.
🔹 Factors at Play:
✅ The nature of the loss (sudden vs. anticipated)
✅ Personal coping mechanisms
✅ Cultural or religious beliefs
✅ The presence of a support system
Grief is a unique journey, deeply influenced by individual circumstances and inner resilience.
Criticism and Evolution of the Model
Kübler-Ross’s framework was originally created for the terminally ill facing their own mortality, not specifically for bereaved individuals. Modern grief research suggests:
✔️ The Dual Process Model: People oscillate between focusing on their loss and engaging in daily life.
✔️ The Six R’s of Mourning (Therese Rando): Recognizing, reacting, reminiscing, relinquishing, readjusting, and reinvesting.
✔️ Continuing Bonds Theory: Emphasizes maintaining a connection with loved ones who have passed, rather than “letting go.”
While the five stages are widely taught, it’s key to remember they’re a framework—not a prescriptive path.
Things To Try This Week!
- Reflect on a Stage:
Pick one stage (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) and write down or voice record how you’ve experienced it, even if fleeting.
- Create a Ritual of Remembrance:
Light a candle or set aside a small table with photos or keepsakes, revisiting it regularly to acknowledge your progress and emotions.
- Seek a Small Ray of Hope:
Each day, note one thing—no matter how small—that reminds you of life’s ongoing beauty. These micro-moments can help balance the heavier aspects of grief.
Conclusion
A Framework, Not a Rulebook
The five stages of grief can provide insight into the emotional landscape that follows loss, but they do not dictate how you should grieve. Each person’s timeline, emotions, and coping methods are uniquely their own.
💡 What Matters Most in Grief:
Giving yourself permission to feel, without judgment.
Seeking support—personally or professionally—when needed.
Recognizing grief as both deeply personal and fluid.
Understanding that healing does not mean forgetting.
In grief, healing isn’t about eliminating pain but about learning to live with it, eventually allowing room for moments of joy and the forward march of life. Even as sorrow endures, it need not overshadow every breath or every tomorrow. 💙
Navigating the stages of grief demands both patience and a willingness to adapt your approach as feelings evolve.
Whether you move seamlessly through denial to acceptance or find yourself bouncing between anger and depression, remember that every emotion is valid. For thoughtful prompts, supportive resources, and ways to memorialize what you’ve lost, explore our cherish collections below—guiding you toward a healing journey that honors both your loved one and yourself.
Honoring Each Stage: Journeying Through Grief with Compassion
Whether you’re experiencing a flicker of denial or settling into acceptance, the path through sorrow is rarely straightforward. Our All Things Cherish collection offers gentle reflections, creative gestures of remembrance, and community bonds that help you process each emotion—so that grief, over time, becomes a tender testament to love, rather than an unending burden.
Cherish Whole Self: Embracing Grief’s Complexity in Mind, Body, and Spirit
From the emotional surges of anger to the physical heaviness of depression, every facet of grief interconnects. In our Cherish Whole Self category, discover mindful techniques, empathetic guidance, and supportive networks for navigating each stage’s demands. Allow your heart the freedom to honor loss, while your mind and body learn to adapt and find comfort anew.
More Reflections, More Growth
Loss is complex, and the road to healing is different for everyone. These reflections offer insight, support, and guidance as you navigate this journey.
You Used to Worry About Extras—Now You Just Hope You Have Enough
What once seemed like an inconvenience—worrying about extras—has turned into the constant fear of not having enough. This post reflects the grief of financial instability, where hope fades, and the focus shifts from extras to the bare minimum just to survive.
You Let Him Slip—While I Was Still Holding On
Losing your father and not understanding why God took him can leave you with a storm of anger and confusion. This post reflects the raw pain of feeling abandoned, yet still seeking comfort in God’s presence, even when you’re angry and questioning why things had to unfold this way.
You Sit on Your Throne—While He Struggles to Stand
Watching your husband struggle with MS while questioning why God would curse him can leave you in a state of anger and confusion. This post reflects the raw grief of wondering why God allows suffering, yet still searching for a glimmer of faith and comfort in the midst of it all.
You Told Us to Work Harder—But the Price Keeps Climbing
You were told to work harder, to grind, to hustle—but no matter how much you work, the price keeps climbing. This page dives into the raw grief of living paycheck to paycheck, skipping meals, and watching the gap between the wealthy and struggling families grow ever wider. It’s not laziness—it’s survival.
You Sold Us Dreams—Then Watched Us Drown in Them
You were sold dreams of success, prosperity, and wealth—but instead, you’re drowning in debt and financial hardship. This page reflects the raw grief of working towards a future that was promised, only to be left holding the burden of financial lies and broken systems. It’s the betrayal of a dream sold, then taken away.
The Cure Exists—But You Put It Behind a Paywall
The cure exists, but it’s locked behind a paywall. This page reflects the raw grief of knowing the treatment you need is within reach, but the cost keeps it just out of your grasp. It’s the pain of watching others afford care while you struggle to survive in a system that treats health as a luxury.
You Came for Our Votes—But Not for Our Grief
You came for our votes, but not for our grief. This page explores the raw pain of political betrayal—when your support is used to gain power, but your struggles are ignored once they’re in office. It’s the grief of realizing that to them, you’re just a number, not a neighbor.
You Couldn’t Box Him In Life—So Why Try in Death?
He wasn’t the kind of man who needed a monument—but he left behind something even more meaningful. This post reflects the deep grief of losing a father and how his legacy continues in small, tangible pieces, carried by those who loved him. A reminder that grief doesn’t just shrink with time—it can grow into something beautiful.
He Never Raised His Voice—But Everyone Listened When He Spoke
Losing him left a gap—not just a memory. This post reflects on the raw grief of losing a loved one and the peace found in a keepsake that feels more like them than just a memory. It’s the emotional connection that lives on through keepsakes infused with the ashes of a loved one.
Explore Journeys of Healing and Solace:
Discover dedicated spaces that offer understanding, guidance, and connection through grief. From the loss of loved ones to life’s challenging transitions, each category provides a pathway to reflect, connect, and find peace in shared experiences.
