Have you ever experienced a sense of deep loss for something you never actually had?

In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores the concept of grieving the empty space - an often overlooked form of grief. This grief typically centers around circumstances or things that never happened - the empty spaces where something should have been such as mourning a relationship that didn’t reach its full potential, a path we didn’t take, a childhood we deserved but didn't receive, and futures we planned that disappeared. In this episode, Elizabeth also offers ways to navigate this form of grief. 

Key Takeaways

• Invisible grief is real and valid – mourning what never happened is a legitimate form of grief that deserves acknowledgment.
• Grief for what never was often ripples through time, affecting not just our past but our present circumstances and future possibilities.
• Naming your grief helps validate your experience and begins the healing process. 
• Sharing your experience with others can provide validation and connection, revealing how common this form of grief actually is.

Resources

• Contact Elizabeth: [email protected]
• November 2023 interview with Jean Sutton on the power of rituals: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/05-interview-with-jean-sutton-using-rituals-to-enhance/id1704337948?i=1000633317348
• Psychology Today article: "2 Types of Invisible Grief" - Read here