Loss is one of life’s hardest truths. Whether it’s a loved one, a relationship, or a dream, grief often arrives uninvited—leaving us with sadness, confusion, and emptiness. In those quiet moments, we may wonder if the pain will ever fade. From Grief to Grounding begins here—acknowledging that while loss changes us, it doesn’t have to define us.
This is where From Grief to Grounding becomes a gentle reminder. It is not about erasing the pain or pretending it never happened, but about learning to hold our grief while finding ways to return to the present moment. Grounding gives us the strength to breathe, to stay connected with ourselves, and to slowly discover that healing is possible—even in the midst of loss.
Finding Strength in the Midst of Loss
Grief often feels like being pulled under a wave—sometimes gentle, sometimes overwhelming. In that unpredictability, what we long for is something steady to hold on to, a reminder that we’re still here despite the pain. This is where grounding becomes a meaningful part of healing. But first, we need to understand how grief truly moves in our lives.
Understanding Grief: From Grief to Grounding
Grief is a universal human experience, yet it manifests differently for each individual. Losing a loved one, a relationship, or even a familiar identity can stir emotions such as sadness, anger, emptiness, or confusion. According to research in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice (Zisook & Shear, 2009), most people go through what is called uncomplicated grief—a painful but natural process that gradually lessens over time. However, for some, grief can become complicated or turn into grief-related depression, where the pain lingers and healing feels out of reach.
In these moments, we often search for something to hold on to—a way to stay present when the past keeps pulling us back. This is where the idea of moving From Grief to Grounding becomes essential. Grounding is not about rushing to “get over it,” but about gently reconnecting with the body, the breath, and the present moment. It reminds us that while grief is part of our story, it doesn’t have to define our entire existence.
What Is Grounding in the Context of Grief?
In the journey of From Grief to Grounding, the idea of grounding holds a very special meaning. Grounding is not just about “calming down” or “moving on.” It is about returning to the body, reconnecting with the earth, and being fully present in this moment—even when grief feels too heavy to carry.
- When grief makes us feel adrift, grounding brings us back to our feet.
- When the mind keeps returning to the past, grounding reminds us that we are still here, today.
- When loneliness feels overwhelming, grounding opens space for connection—with ourselves and with others.
Grounding can take shape in simple practices:
- Becoming aware of your breath and body
- Touching the earth, water, or objects around you
- Sharing your story with someone who listens without judgment
- Creating small rituals to honor what has been lost while moving forward
Through grounding, grief does not disappear. But in the process of From Grief to Grounding, we learn how to hold our loss with compassion and place it in a healthier space within our lives.
Why Grief Can Feel Stuck
Grief often feels like it stops at one point, refusing to move. There are many reasons why this happens: not having a safe space to share or even to remain silent, feelings of shame and social pressure to recover quickly, a body that stays alert—making it hard to sleep, focus, or feel rested—and the weight of loneliness, even though grief is one of the most human experiences.
This sense of being stuck cannot be resolved by rational advice alone. We need to engage the body, emotions, and community to move together in the healing process.
The Principles of From Grief to Grounding
This program is guided by four simple yet profound principles:
- Slow is Fast: Healing moves step by step. Speed is not the measure of success.
- Body First, Then Story: Feel first, then interpret. The body often knows before the mind.
- Nature as Co-Therapist: Nature provides a gentle, consistent sensory anchor.
- Togetherness Heals: Healing grows when we witness and are witnessed.
Practices That Support Healing
To translate these principles into lived experience, several practices are used:
- Naming What Hurts: Naming the feelings—sadness, anger, longing, guilt, relief—without judgment.
- Breath & Mindful Movement: Releasing tension in the body and slowing down.
- Creative Expression: Expressing through art, journaling, collage, or writing.
- Small, Meaningful Rituals: Lighting a candle, planting seeds, or writing an unsent letter.
- Personal Documentation: Creating a zine or memory sheet to trace the journey, not just the outcome.
From Grief to Connection
While grounding helps us reconnect with ourselves, healing often deepens when shared with others. Sharing our stories, being witnessed without judgment, and knowing that others have walked similar paths can create a profound sense of relief.
Grief does not have to be endured alone. In small groups or supportive circles, we learn that our pain is seen, our memories are honored, and our steps forward are understood. This collective act of healing transforms grief from an isolating experience into one that fosters connection, strength, and even hope.
The journey from grief to grounding is never a straight or smooth road. Some days, we may feel strong, and the next, fragile again—and that’s okay. The key is not to search for the fastest way to heal, but to create space to grieve together. Because grief carried alone feels unbearably heavy. Yet within a small, understanding community, that weight slowly begins to feel lighter.
That’s where the power of collective healing truly emerges: we learn that we are not alone.
From Grief to Grounding Program
To support this process, Talk Mental Health Indonesia (TMH.id) presents a special program:
✨ From Grief to Grounding ✨
A 6-week healing journey designed for young people navigating loss.
📍 Location: Yayasan Jiwa Pulih Bahagia (Bantul, Yogyakarta)
🗓 Every Saturday | 13 September – 18 October 2025
At 14.00 – 17.00 WIB
👥 Limited slots: only 8 participants, so every voice can truly be heard.
In this space, participants will:
- Practice simple grounding techniques,
- Receive safe and supportive guidance,
- Share stories without fear of judgment,
- Build new strength to move forward.
Why This Modeling Program Matters
The heart of our modeling sessions is co-creation.
- Embrace Lived Experiences – Our modules are not set in stone. We design them with participants, honoring each person’s unique journey so that what we explore together feels relevant and meaningful.
- Bottom-Up Mental Health Care – We aim to normalize a way of learning and healing where participants’ voices are central. Mental health care isn’t just top-down; it thrives when lived experiences and peer involvement are included.
- Collaborative Learning – Each session is an opportunity to model practical strategies while adapting them together, ensuring that what we practice reflects real-life experiences.
- Transforming Grief into Connection – By participating actively, we move beyond passive learning—grief becomes a shared path where support, understanding, and resilience grow collectively.
- Normalizing Care Through Peer Support – This program demonstrates that mental health care is a shared journey, and that together we can build safer, more empathetic spaces for healing.
We want to normalize mental health care that is truly bottom-up, where peers and lived experiences are not just included—but central to how we learn, heal, and grow together.
Why From Grief to Grounding Program?
Because healing does not have to be done alone.
Sometimes, a small step into a safe space can become the starting point of a longer journey.
If you are wrestling with grief, this is the time to give yourself space to breathe, feel, and grow again.
Registration closes: August 31, 2025
Join now and begin your journey from grief to grounding.
Turning Grief into Connection
Grief may change us, but it doesn’t have to isolate us. Together, we can transform pain into connection, and sorrow into strength. 🌱
More details about the program: Instagram Post
Ready to join? Register here: bit.ly/ModellingProgram
Take this step for yourself—join From Grief to Grounding and begin your healing journey today!
