Grief is a complicated and deeply personal journey, and when you’re battling cancer, it can come in many forms. You might grieve the loss of a loved one, your pre-cancer life, or even your hair. Grief is valid, no matter its form, and there are ways to navigate it with compassion and care. Here are four cancer hacks to help you cope with grief:
Hack #1: Get Out Your Feelings
Grief can feel overwhelming, but naming your feelings can help you process them. You don't have to hold onto all the bad complicated feelings. You got to get them out! Journaling is a great tool for this. Write down what you're feeling, even if it’s messy or hard to put into words. Don't judge yourself along the way. The best medicine sometimes is just letting yourself feel.
Hack #2: Create a Ritual to Honor What You’ve Lost
Whether you’re grieving a loved one or the life you had before your diagnosis, creating a ritual can be a powerful way to honor your loss. This could be lighting a candle, planting a tree, or framing a photo that represents a happy memory. A ritual gives you a tangible way to process and celebrate what’s meaningful to you and to let go of what was.
Hack #3: Call a Friend or Even Us
Grief can make you feel isolated, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups like Fighting Pretty. Talking to others who understand your experience can help lighten the emotional load. We all feel sometimes like we want to isolate ourselves or are isolated in our grief, but we don't have to be alone. If in-person connection feels hard, virtual communities or online forums can be a great alternative! Come to our Cancer Hacks Conversations or join our FB groups! Be apart of people again and begin to heal.
Hack #4: Find Small Ways to Reclaim Joy
It’s okay to grieve and seek moments of joy at the same time. Do something small that makes you smile, like wearing a bright scarf, baking cookies, or watching your favorite movie. These small acts of comfort remind you that life’s simple pleasures are still within reach. Its important to celebrate every step of your process- whether thats in remembrance or in acceptance. Grief is the process of making way for the new.
Grief doesn’t have a timeline, and healing is not linear. Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this journey. And remember: you are not alone.
You are Fighting Pretty every step of the way.