MYTH
The pain will go away faster if you ignore it.
FACT
Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it.
MYTH
It’s important to be “be strong” in the face of loss.
FACT
Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front. Showing your true feelings can help them and you.
MYTH
If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.
FACT
Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of showing it.
MYTH
Grief should last about a year.
FACT
There is no right or wrong time frame for grieving. How long it takes can differ from person to person.
(Source: Center for Grief and Healing)