On Grief and Loss
Stoic Reflection on facing life's deepest pains without being consumed by them.
“Whatever can happen at any time can happen today.” — Seneca
This is part of the Stoic Reflection series. You can browse all reflections here
It hits you somewhere beneath your ribs.
That hollow feeling when something precious vanishes from your life.
A relationship ends.
A loved one dies.
A dream crumbles.
A chapter closes.
And suddenly, you're cast into that strange territory of grief.
That landscape where nothing looks quite right.
Where time behaves oddly.
Where you feel both numb and in excruciating pain.
Some well-meaning person might tell you, “Just be stoic about it.”
As if being stoic meant not feeling.
As if it meant emotional numbness.
As if it meant pretending not to hurt.
Nothing could be further from the truth.