Acknowledging achievements amidst profound loss
Ten years have passed since the day Sharon, my ‘big sister’ died. In this, my own personal journey of grief, I've discovered a strength and resilience I never knew I possessed.
It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, a labyrinth of challenges, but through it all, I've found ways to celebrate achievements amidst the profound sadness that I felt in those early days.
Grief doesn't come with an instruction manual, you can’t turn to page 17 to find out what to do when you find yourself sobbing uncontrollably. It's unpredictable, messy, and nonlinear.
Yet, within its depths, there lies an opportunity for growth, transformation, and even celebration. My grief is a testament to the love I shared with Sharon.
My journey has been one of self-discovery and personal growth. I was ‘stuck’ in my grief, I was exhausted by my grief. My grief was preventing me from living the life I wanted to live yet I had no idea how to move forward.
I felt so alone, even with the love of my friends and family. Grief has a way of stripping away pretences, forcing us to confront our vulnerabilities and reevaluate our priorities.
Through my training to become a Grief & Loss Specialist I began to realise that I wasn’t going mad, what I was feeling was completely natural. I won’t lie, at times, during the training, I had to face a lot of things that I had buried deep, deep down, hoping to never face.
Facing them, letting them go and saying goodbye to all those conflicting emotions I held on to for so long was a huge moment for me.
With each small step forward, whether it was learning a new skill, pursuing a passion, or simply finding joy in the little things, I realised that my life was a cause for celebration, my training helped me to understand that I didn’t have to live a life of sadness.
From that point in time my passion to support and guide others through their own grief and loss grew. Inspired by Sharon.
By sharing my story and raising awareness, I hope to break the stigma surrounding grief and loss, and encourage others to seek help when they need it most.
Perhaps one of the most poignant achievements has been finding a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Grief and joy can coexist, and it's possible to find moments of happiness even amidst your sadness, and it is okay for you to feel happy.
Whether it's the laughter shared with friends, the beauty of nature, or the warmth of cherished memories, these moments are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
The past ten years have been a journey of growth, discovery, and transformation. I still miss Sharon but I don’t feel that deep pain and overwhelming sadness, I've found ways to honour her memory and celebrate her life in meaningful ways.
Through the support of others, personal growth, advocacy, and finding purpose, I've turned my grief into a source of strength and inspiration.
In the midst of our grief, we discover our true selves. So, I celebrate not only the achievements of the past decade but also the person I've become in the process.
About Jill
Jill Attree is a Grief Specialist, basedin Dorset. Jill has helped grievers throughout the UK by listening without judgement, analysis or criticism - so that you can move forward through your loss. To help you create a brighter tomorrow.
You can find out more about Jill here.