Grief is a complex and deeply personal journey that touches every aspect of our lives. When we experience loss, the emotions we feel are often overwhelming, leaving us disoriented and unsure of how to move forward. As the founder of Unboxed Grief, I know firsthand how isolating this experience can be. I created this platform because my grief journey felt unstructured, lonely, and misunderstood, and I realized how many others were silently struggling with the same burden. In my quest for healing, I explored innovative and holistic approaches to grief, which I am now sharing with you in the hope that they offer some light on your path.
First, it’s essential to recognize that grief does not have a timetable or a neat set of stages that you can move through linearly. Grief is non-linear and unpredictable, like waves that ebb and flow, sometimes crashing in unexpectedly. For years, I tried to follow the “five stages of grief” model, believing that once I hit acceptance, I would somehow be free from the heavy weight in my chest. But what I’ve learned is that grief is not something to overcome; it is something we learn to carry. One of the most innovative ways to manage this weight is by adopting the “emotional inventory” approach. This involves a daily practice of sitting with your feelings and acknowledging whatever emotions surface—sadness, anger, confusion, or even moments of peace. Over time, you build a deeper understanding of your grief and how it changes from day to day. This practice is not about forcing progress but about making space for whatever arises in the present moment.

Another groundbreaking concept in coping with grief is the idea of ritualizing our emotions. Grief is often tied to moments in time—anniversaries, birthdays, holidays—that amplify the sense of loss. Instead of dreading these dates, creating personalized rituals can transform these moments into opportunities for connection, remembrance, and healing. For instance, one of my clients lights a candle every year on her mother's birthday and spends the day creating something new—whether it’s art, a meal, or a poem. This ritual of creation helps her feel a sense of continued connection, turning a painful anniversary into a day of reflection and growth. The act of ritualizing gives our grief form and meaning, rather than leaving it as something chaotic and undefined (Neimeyer & Harris, 2020).
Connection, both to ourselves and others, is vital in our healing journey. Yet many people shy away from talking about their grief, feeling that it’s too heavy a subject to burden others with. I’ve seen firsthand how this silence only deepens the pain. Instead, finding a way to articulate your grief—whether through storytelling, journaling, or finding a supportive grief circle—allows the isolation to lift. At Unboxed Grief, I’ve developed a unique grief storytelling workshop where participants can explore their emotions through guided creative writing prompts. It’s amazing to witness how, through writing and sharing our stories, we can shift the narrative from feeling trapped by our grief to finding meaning in our loss (Thompson, 2021). These workshops have shown me how vital it is to give our grief a voice, rather than keeping it buried inside.
Another innovative strategy I’ve embraced is “grief mapping,” a visual exercise designed to make sense of the often chaotic emotions that accompany loss. In my personal experience, there were days when I felt like my grief was swallowing me whole, and I couldn’t find a clear path through the fog. Grief mapping allows you to externalize these feelings onto paper by creating a physical representation of your grief journey. You draw or write about different parts of your experience, from your most difficult moments to the unexpected flashes of joy or peace. Seeing your grief visually spread out in front of you helps to demystify it and can give you a sense of control over an otherwise uncontrollable process. Studies have shown that visual journaling can be incredibly therapeutic, allowing individuals to explore emotions that they may not be able to verbalize (Gerge, 2019).
Finally, I believe it’s crucial to include the body in our grief work. So often, grief is treated as a purely emotional or psychological experience, but the body holds onto trauma and loss in profound ways. One of the most cutting-edge techniques for processing grief is somatic experiencing, a body-based therapy that helps to release stored grief through physical movement and awareness (Levine, 2015). In my journey, I found solace in yoga and mindful movement, which allowed me to release the physical tension that I wasn’t even aware I was carrying. By tuning into your body, you can identify where your grief resides and work through it physically, rather than keeping it trapped. This approach moves beyond traditional talk therapy, integrating the body’s wisdom into the healing process.

As I continue to unbox my grief, I am reminded daily that this journey is not linear, nor is there a singular “right way” to cope. What I offer, both from my personal experience and the work I do with others, are tools and ideas that can guide you through the darkness. The key is to be gentle with yourself and recognize that grief is as unique as the person experiencing it. By permitting yourself to explore new methods, create rituals, map your emotions, and connect with others and your body, you open the door to healing in ways you may never have thought possible. Grief doesn’t have to be a solitary burden; together, we can unbox it, hold it, and carry it forward into our lives in a way that honors both our loss and our resilience.
References
Gerge, A. (2019). Visual journaling as a therapeutic tool in trauma processing: A new direction in trauma treatment. Journal of Art Therapy, 34(2), 56-70.
Levine, P. (2015). Trauma and memory: Brain and body in a search for the living past. North Atlantic Books.
Neimeyer, R. A., & Harris, D. L. (2020). Rituals as a bridge to the future: Meaning-making in bereavement. Death Studies, 44(5), 315-323.
Thompson, N. (2021). The power of storytelling in grief and loss: Finding hope through shared narratives. Grief Matters, 27(1), 12-18.
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