We all know someone in our lives who is grieving, whether it’s from the loss of a loved one, divorce, job loss, health complications, etc. Maybe you are currently grieving, too. Dimy Mixon, a marriage and family therapist specializing in grief counseling for women, offers practical advice for navigating grief (our own or that of a loved one). In this episode of The SavvyCast, Dimy Mixon, founder and owner of Fountain Counseling in Atlanta, Georgia, joins me to discuss how to navigate personal grief and how to respond to loved ones' grief. This episode has been such a learning experience for me, and I hope it is for you as well.
Here is what you’ll find in this episode:
What are the 6 Stages of Grief?
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
- Meaning
What are the best things to do if you are grieving?
- Be kind and gentle to yourself.
- Surround yourself with loved ones.
- Do not isolate yourself. Have healthy alone time, but do not isolate.
- Stick to a daily routine.
- Exercise
- Journaling
- Cling to your faith.
How can we help those who are grieving?
- Assist them through practical tasks such as making a meal, cutting their grass, running an errand, etc. Use your talents and abilities to serve them.
- Be physically present.
- Keep your words simple. Let them know that you’re sorry and that you’re there for them, but sometimes the less we say, the better.
- If you’re unsure about whether or not the person grieving wants company or not, ask their close friends and family if they want company at this time.
- Whether it is a card or a text, any sign of care is a gift.
What NOT to tell someone who is grieving
- While our intentions are good, some common phrases people say can come across as invalidating one’s grief.
How do people arrive to the Meaning stage of grief?
- There are so many ways someone can reach the Meaning stage of grief, and Dimy and I discuss several examples.
Dimy Mixon is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Georgia. You can get in contact with her through the Fountain Counseling Website or email her at dimy@fountaincounseling.com.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Best Books to Read about Grief
- The Gift of Presence (A Guide to Helping Those Who Suffer) by Joe Pennel
- Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg
- Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey
- Journeying Through Grief (4-Book Set) by Kenneth Haugk
- Roses in December by Marilyn Willett Heavilin
- Mending the Heart by John Claypool
- A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
- Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying by Maggie Callahan
- The Needs of the Dying: A Guide to Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Love to Life's Final Chapter by David Kessler
- You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce, or Death by Louise Hay and David Kessler
- Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die by David Kessler
- Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler