When we experience loss, whether the passing of a loved one, a break up, or even the end of a friendship, it's important to acknowledge the relationship loss and allow yourself to grieve. The grief process looks different for everyone but almost always involves a complex mix of emotions. Here is a visualization practice to make space for your grief.
Guided Visualization Practice
Begin by getting into a comfortable position and taking some slow grounding breaths. Ask yourself what are the qualities of the person or relationship you miss the most.
Make a list:
~ I miss having someone to call about my good news.
~ I miss the excitement in their voice when they talked about their passion.
~ I miss their warm embrace.
Bring these qualities you are grieving to your minds attention. Allow them to transcend in your body as if you are experiencing them again... let grief flow through you. Imagine the feeling of grief in your body as a warm glow of light. Visualize the glow as a color, or multiple colors. The glows of light is your grief flowing through you. As you express your feeling of grief and loss, the light flows outside of you, surrounding your body like an ora. Allow the glows of light to engage with your energy field. Visualize the colors of light begin to lighten and brighten.
What would you like to say to the colors and glows of light:
~ I see you and acknowledge you.
~ You are a beautiful visualization of what it means to be alive.
~ Thank you.
~ Goodbye for now.
Visualize the light beginning to lighten and brighten until their is only a white light of energy. Take three cleansing breaths and allow yourself to engage with this practice or return back to it as often as needed.
Importance of Making Room for Grief
We acknowledge our loss because it reminds us of the qualities which feel good to our souls. We acknoweldge our loss so we can tap back into what it feels like to be loved, cared for, or connected.
By making room for the grief, acknowledging moments of connection, we always have access to the things we loss. We can find those qualiteis of love, care, and connection in our own embodied somatic experiencing and in the varying dynamics of our relationships.
Additional Resources:
GriefSpace - Free virtual offering to co-create a space to express grief facilitated by holistic grief and wellness practicioner, Sunflower Flemister.
Loss and Grief Workbook - guided workbook centered around social responses to loss and grief.
Hello I'm Grieving - Grief education wellness events facilitated by Certified Grief Education, Dr. Julie Shaw.
AmarAtma - Grief and Letting Go Somatic Coaching
About the Author
Chelsey is a relational and somatic therapist based in Los Angeles, CA. She works with adult, teens, couples, and families to help them release stress, tension, and trauma to better connect to themselves, others, and the world around them. She offers group, individual, and couples therapy and offers a sliding scale rate to increase accessibility to services. She also facilitates holistic wellness offerings such as sound bath and yoga sessions, and social gatherings to be in community and have space to engage in conversations about mental health and wellness. If you're ready to go deeper in your mental health and wellness journey you can explore working with Chelsey by booking a free therapy consultation HERE.
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