Losing Someone
There are different ways we can lose someone we love. Sometimes someone dies. Other times, they’re still here, but the relationship or place they had in our life has changed. These are some of the experiences I support clients with in therapy.
When someone dies
Someone’s death can radically change your life
You might have lost a parent, sibling or someone else close to you. There can be the deep sadness of missing them, but also sudden moments of despair that seem to come in waves. Sometimes it’s the everyday moments that bring their absence back — wanting to tell them something, reaching a milestone without them, or realising they won’t be there for something you always imagined they would.
Grief doesn’t always look or feel the way we expect it to. You might feel devastated, angry, numb, confused or even find yourself carrying on with everyday life while something underneath feels completely different. —> I’d like to talk to someone
Missing someone who is still alive
You can feel like you’ve lost someone, even though they’re still here
Maybe a family member has moved away, a relationship has ended or someone who was part of your life suddenly isn’t anymore. They’re still out there somewhere. You know they’re okay. You might even still see them or speak to them. But you don’t get to have them in your life in the way you want to anymore.
It can be a strange kind of loss because there hasn’t necessarily been a clear goodbye. It can be difficult when someone hasn’t disappeared from the world — they’ve disappeared from the life you had with them.
Fear of losing someone
Sometimes the thought of losing someone can be terrifying, even when they’re still here.
You might find yourself imagining someone you love dying, becoming ill or leaving you. The fear can keep coming back — What if something happens to them? What would I do? How would I cope without them?
It can become difficult to be present and enjoy your life when part of you is always scared of losing them. You might worry about moving away or spending less time together, feeling like you need to make the most of every moment you have with them, just in case. But however much time you spend together, the fear of losing them can still be there — making it difficult to live your own life freely.
Let’s take the next step together