REFRAMING GRIEF AND LOSS

On the 21st of December 2018, I unexpectedly lost my beautiful bride of 27 years. My grief journey so far has been very messy. I am a designer. Like most pain in the arse designers I am always asking why? To that degree I have been researching the 'grief and loss' process. DABDA (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance) seems to be the universal default.

The idea that I am currently travelling along a linear, step by step process that eventually enables me to 'move on' deeply troubles me.

I love the way Nora McInerny argues that we don't "move on" from grief we move forward with it.

So in the spirit of 'designing better' things I have created this little venn diagram which I think makes more sense than the traditional 'liner' diagrams you might have seen plastered all over internet. If you have or are currently experiencing grief and loss, you might have thoughts? I would love to hear them...