"El dolor cambia de forma pero nunca termina"

Grief is something that sticks with you, even though it might not look the same over time. It's like a shadow that morphs but never really disappears. Think about it—when you lose someone important to you, the pain is raw and overwhelming at first. Over time, that sharp edge dulls, but the feeling doesn’t just vanish. It lingers in different forms.

This quote comes from Keanu Reeves, who has experienced significant loss in his life. He lost his girlfriend, Jennifer Syme, in a car accident, and his best friend, River Phoenix, to a drug overdose. He knows firsthand that grief isn’t something you just “get over.” It’s something you carry with you, reshaping itself as you move forward.

Imagine you’ve lost a dear friend. At first, you can't even get out of bed. Everything reminds you of them—their favorite song, places you used to hang out. Over time, you start to find moments of joy again. But then, you hear that song, and the memories flood back. It’s not as overwhelming as before, but it’s there. This is what it means for grief to change shape.

So, how can you apply this understanding in your life? First, give yourself permission to feel however you feel. Don't rush the process or expect to "move on" by a certain date. Grief is not a linear journey, and that's okay. Create a space to remember and honor the person you lost. Maybe that's through journaling, creating art, or just talking about them with friends.

Imagine a story about a woman named Sarah. She lost her mother a few years ago. Initially, she was a wreck. Couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep. But as time passed, she found solace in her mother’s garden. Tending to the plants became a way for her to stay connected. One day, she finds an old recipe book with her mother’s notes. She decides to cook one of her mom’s favorite dishes. As she cooks, she feels her mom’s presence—not in a haunting way, but in a comforting one. Grief has changed shape for Sarah. It’s no longer a constant ache but a gentle reminder, manifesting in the smell of her mother’s cooking.

Life will keep throwing curveballs, and you’ll probably face other losses. Remember, the shape of grief will change, but it will always be a part of you. The goal isn’t to erase it but to learn to live with it, to let it be a part of your story without letting it define you.

It’s like having a scar. At first, it’s all you can see, and it hurts like hell. But over time, it becomes a part of your skin. It might itch or sting occasionally, but it’s a part of you now. And that’s okay. You’re okay. So, take a deep breath. Feel what you need to feel. And know that while grief changes shape, you have the strength to hold it and keep moving forward.