Finding Your Tribe: The Graceful Journey of Connection and Community

Recently, I had to deal with the passing of a loved one. Grief and divorce—two totally different things, but they can feel pretty similar when it comes to the emotional rollercoaster. Both can be gut-wrenching, leaving us feeling like we’ve lost something truly special and sending us on a long road to recovery. It can feel like you’re carrying a mountain on your back, but once you start the healing process, that load gets a little lighter.

Let’s be real: the pain of losing a loved one is something we all will experience, even if it affects everyone differently. Grief can feel like a wavy ocean of sadness, anger, and longing. And just like saying goodbye to a loved one, going through a divorce packs a heavy punch. You're not just saying goodbye to your partner; you're also waving farewell to those shared dreams and all those cozy moments you pictured together.

In both cases, it’s normal to be stuck in a “why?” loop. Why did this happen? Why did they leave? Why on earth did they have to go? Those questions can hang around forever if not addressed head on.

Acknowledging these questions is part of the healing journey, but letting them keep you stuck is a no-go. It’s very important to give yourself permission to feel that pain without being hard on yourself. It’s all about flipping those questions into something that helps you grow rather than just sitting in sadness or anger.

Please don’t underestimate the magic of support! When you’re grieving, having a friend to share a laugh or a glass of wine with can make all the difference. The same goes when navigating a divorce—leaning on your buddies, family, or even a professional can lighten the load tremendously. Being around people who “get it” creates those all-important connections and helps the healing process flow. Remember, we’re all in this together, and showing vulnerability.

Both grief and divorce have a way of shaking things up in our lives and forcing us to rethink who we are. Embrace that change! Once I leaned on my support system, I was able to finally figure out who I was going to be as a divorced person. Now going through the grief from the death of a loved one, I will lean on friends, family and professionals for support again.

I didn't want to make this a grim blog, but just wanted to show that divorce can feel much like grief, but you can get over it by embracing the feelings and leaning on your tribe. ❤️