Even if you are an adult and have lived independently for years, losing a parent can shake the foundation of your life, making you feel uniquely vulnerable. Your parents are often your first caregivers, advocates, and cheerleaders. When they are gone, it can feel as if part of your identity has vanished with them.
At Foundation Stone Wellness, we understand that grieving such a profound loss cannot happen overnight. The experience is often unpredictable, and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to go through it.
Symptoms of Grief After Losing a Parent
Grief manifests differently for everyone, but common symptoms after losing a parent include:
- Sadness and longing for their presence
- Anger or irritability directed at others or even yourself
- Guilt over unresolved conflicts or things left unsaid
- Numbness or detachment
- Anxiety or fear about facing life without them
- Physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, or digestive issues
- Difficulty concentrating or completing daily tasks
These emotions may come in waves, sometimes catching you off-guard. Even years after the loss, memories, anniversaries, or life milestones can bring those feelings back to the surface.
Understanding the Progression of Grief
The grieving process is unique to each person, and it does not follow a linear path. Some people may experience intense mourning that gradually eases, while others may feel numb at first and only later experience the depth of their sorrow. Grief may include stages like denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, but not everyone experiences these stages in the same order – or at all.
We encourage clients at our grief retreat to give themselves plenty of time, space, and self-compassion. There is no set timeline for healing, and it’s not unusual to feel a wave of sadness long after your parent has passed.
When Grief Becomes Prolonged
Many people experience complicated grief, when intense feelings of sorrow do not lessen over time and begin to interfere with daily life. Signs include:
- An inability to accept the reality of the loss
- Preoccupation with memories of your parent
- Avoidance of reminders of your parent
- Persistent feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
- Withdrawal from social activities and loved ones
Support Through Deep Loss
Foundation Stone Wellness provides a compassionate, private environment for those mourning the loss of a parent. Through personalized grief counseling, holistic healing practices, and community support, we help you process complex emotions, honor your loved ones, and start feeling better.
Our approach includes:
- Grief-focused therapy to manage feelings of loss and longing
- Mind-body practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork to release emotional tension
- Reflective activities to honor your parent’s memory and legacy
- Empathetic care to remind you that you are not alone in your grief
Losing a parent changes your world, but healing is possible. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get through this challenging time.