Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 5, where we are exploring “little g” grief, a process that helps us honor our everyday disappointments and frustrations. My goal for this season is to help others with managing their expectations and their energy so they have more capacity for living a joyful life. Having unprocessed grief steals our energy and keeps us stuck in denial, and so I’m excited to dive into this season and share tools and resources to help you get unstuck.
On this episode I’m talking about 11 different types of “little g” grief. The purpose of sharing these types of grief isn’t so we can perfectly diagnose our grief when it happens. The reason I want to share all these types of grief is to expand our vocabulary and our awareness of the many ways grief can show up in our lives. My goal is to invite curiosity about where grief might be hiding in our day, so we can honor our losses, make space for what we need, and decide how we have power to move forward.
One thing I especially want to note - no matter what type of grief you are dealing with, the process for moving through it will always be the same. Check out episode 2 of this season for an in depth look at the grief process.
Here are the 11 types of grief I talk about in this episode:
Event-based – This type of grief occurs when something unexpected happens, forcing you to redirect time, energy, and resources.
Example: A car accident, getting sick, your credit card being stolen, or your dog running away.
Anticipatory – The mental and emotional toll of preparing for an upcoming change, loss, or difficult situation.
Example: You know there are budget cuts coming at work that will affect the team you manage.
Cumulative – Grief from small, individual losses that may not seem significant on their own, but together become overwhelming.
Example: A day with no sunshine, bad news about a war, a flat tire, a failed work presentation, and realizing you forgot to turn on the crockpot for dinner.
Identity – The grief we feel when a part of who we are, or who we’ve always seen ourselves to be, is changing or being lost.
Examples: Graduating college, becoming a parent, or transitioning to retirement.
Relational – Grief that stems from changes or losses in relationships.
Examples: A good friend moves away, a friend disappoints you, or you decide to end an unhealthy relationship.
Structural – When the systems and routines in our lives change, causing a loss of stability and predictability.
Examples: The COVID-19 pandemic, moving to a new office, getting a new coworker, or your kids changing to a different school.
Chronic – Grief that comes from ongoing situations that you wish were different but cannot change.
Example: Struggling with unhealthy family of origin relationships.
Ambiguous – A loss that is difficult to fully define or explain.
Example: The emotional difficulty you may feel during the holiday season without a clear reason why.
Collective – Grief that affects a large group over time, even if it doesn’t immediately or directly impact you.
Examples: War, natural disasters, the death of a beloved celebrity, or tragedies like the death of George Floyd.
Projected – A loss that doesn’t directly involve you but deeply affects you emotionally.
Example: A child in your community dies in a car accident, and though you don’t know them personally, it feels like your own loss.
Bittersweet – Grief from positive changes that also bring loss or require adjustments.
Example: Moving into a new house that you love but having to pack, adjust to a new neighborhood, and change your daily routines.
Here are links that might be helpful:
Free Download - 7 Ways to Reclaim Energy From Your Weekend
Schedule a free coaching session with Erin
Personal Growth Sucks on Instagram and Facebook
