We typically associate grief with the loss of a loved one, but it can also manifest through the loss of a former version of yourself. As we go throughout life, we experience monumental shifts in our identity that cause us to evolve into new versions of ourselves, often influenced by a major life event, unexpected occurrences, or personal growth. Grieving an old version of yourself is a process that, though often unspoken, many experience. According to Healthline, there are five significant steps of grief that people often pass through before they make it out on the other side of acceptance. While many work to navigate these five integral steps following a loss, two additional steps have been introduced as resources to assist in the process of piecing one’s life back together while imagining a new future.
The 7 Stages of Grief
The seven steps of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, with two …