When  you're grieving, every aspect of your life can be affected. In fact, the grieving process can make you feel like you have lost control of your own thoughts, emotions, and even  your sanity!

If you've experienced the loss of someone dear to you, like a beloved pet, it's important to remind yourself that the sadness and heaviness you feel is due to your grief. Why? Because, after several days and weeks, you may lose track of your grief process and forget to attribute the changes you are experiencing in your moods, relationships, and energy levels to grief. Instead, you may begin to worry that there is something "wrong" with you like a dreaded disease or even a mental illness. Remind yourself (and others!)  that grief can last a long time and be disorienting. Ask others (and yourself!) to be kind and patient with you.

Grief differs from person to person, yet there are many normal, predictable reactions to loss. You may feel the presence of grief in your physical body, in your thoughts, and in your social, emotional and spiritual life.