By: sistasonthesofa
black community, christian, Family, health, Inspirational, Loss, Marriage, Parenting, Relationships, trauma, Uncategorized, , ,

Grief Journal

One thing I noticed as a counselor is that life never really slows down after death. Which leaves a lot of us in an unfortunate predicament because we never truly get to process our grief in a healthy way. Even the students I service at my campus, pick their selves up and keep it pushing. I wanted to create a space where they felt comfortable to process their grief and on their own terms. I keep a few copies of a grief journal in my office. It’s nothing fancy but a simple helpful tool. I wanted to share with my readers as well. Here are the prompts.

  1. Today, I am really missing…
  2. I am having a hard time with…
  3. The hardest time of day is…
  4. I have been feeling a lot of…
  5. To allow these feelings room to transform into something else, I am willing to…
  6. I could use some more…
  7. I could use a little less…

Grief journaling is a therapeutic offering of compassion, a true gift of possibility.

  1. I am ready to feel…
  2. A simple activity or non-activity I could try today to make things easier is…
  3. If I were to ask for help, who might I ask and what would I ask for specifically?
  4. My support system includes…
  5. I find it helpful when…
  6. I feel most connected to my loved one when I…
  7. A comforting memory of my loved one is…

When we sincerely contemplate what we can do from this place to participate in our own healing, miracles appear.

  1. My loved one had a way of making me feel…
  2. One way I can express this feeling (or these feelings) in a creative way is…
  3. If I could be like my loved one in any way, I would adopt their…
  4. I can honor my loved one by…
  5. Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed by pain, regret, guilt, or despair, I will repeat this mantra:
  6. To be more compassionate toward myself, I am willing to try…
  7. Is there someone else who is hurting, and is there something I could do to show them I care?

I cut these prompts and paste them a few pages apart. Feel free to write, draw, or even change the prompts to fit your own personal needs. I tell people to start where they feel the most comfortable.

Grief is hard and there isn’t one thing that will help but this is definitely a start.

Dear God, cover those who are grieving right now. Give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Comfort them with your peace and your presence and let them know now things may be hard but there will be brighter days ahead and some days might be tough, allow them to sit in that feeling understanding that there isn’t an arrival date of when they should move on, but understanding that you will be there every step of the way. In Jesus name amen.

Sincerely, 

Your Sista on the Sofa, 

Kendal