Becoming Without Apology Series - Part 4

Part 4: The Grief That Comes With Growth

By: Cree Jones, LMFT

*We are doing a 5-part series about becoming a more unapologetic you. We would love your insights and some of your answers to our blog questions with this series! This is a great time to reflect on yourself as well as bring some of these questions/answers back to your therapist.*

Growth is often celebrated, but rarely do we talk about what it costs.

With growth comes grief.

You grieve old versions of yourself, relationships that no longer fit, the comfort of familiarity, and dreams that belonged to who you used to be.

Even when growth is right, it can still hurt.

You are not grieving because you are going backward.
You are grieving because you are letting go.

Growth asks you to mourn what you can no longer return to.

That grief does not mean regret.
It means you cared.

Let yourself feel it without judgment.

Grief is not a sign you made the wrong choice.
It is a sign you are human.

Reflection Questions – Part 4

The Grief That Comes With Growth

• What have you lost as you’ve grown, even if the growth was necessary?
• Are there versions of yourself you still miss?
• How do you usually respond to grief that doesn’t have a clear ending?
• What would it look like to honor your grief instead of rushing past it?
• How might allowing grief deepen, rather than block, your healing?