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Stylish & Slow Adventuring – A Travel, Fashion and Lifestyle Yorkshire Blogger

Reacting to Loss: The Influence of Sentimentality, Nostalgia and Grief

April 14, 2023

Reacting to Loss: The Influence of Sentimentality, Nostalgia and Grief

*This is a partnered post / Trigger Warning

It has been said that time heals all wounds. But, what happens if time doesn’t heal the wound, or we try to forget but the feeling lingers? That is sentimentality – an intense emotion which can cause us to react in unexpected ways, something I myself struggle with. In this blog post, we’ll examine this concept of sentimentality and its connection to nostalgia and grief, exploring their roles within our emotions.

Sentimentality: The Power of Nostalgia and Longing

Sentimentality is the emotional connection we have to people, places or things that can elicit feelings of nostalgia or longing. It often stems from childhood memories and may be linked with emotions such as sadness or joy. For instance, looking at a picture of your childhood home may cause you to feel both happy and sad at the same time since that time has passed. I find when I look at my little girl, I am happy & excited to see her grow up, but then I also feel sad that she is no longer a tiny, little newborn still. The two feelings can work simultaneously. 

Grieving with Sentimentality

Grief is an intense emotional reaction when we experience the loss of something important to us. We may go through various stages of grief, such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. At this difficult time in our lives, sentimentality can provide comfort by helping us recall fond memories shared with the person or object lost – helping to lessen its impact and ease the pain associated with grieving.

What Are the Advantages and Risques of Sentimentality?

Sentimentality can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it allows us to reflect on happy times we’ve shared and provide emotional support during difficult times. On the other hand, however, sentimentality may lead us into unhealthy attachments and unrealistic expectations. Recognising when sentimentality has become too much is essential for taking steps to address any issues arising from it. It is something I’m desperately working on myself.

Nostalgia: How Sentimentality Helps Us Cope

Nostalgia, like sentimentality, involves an emotional attachment to someone or something from our past. Generally, this feeling of nostalgia carries with it a positive connotation and helps us make sense of the world around us. Nostalgia allows us to connect with our past experiences and find solace, comfort and peace during difficult times.

Benefits and Potential Pitfalls of Grieving

Grieving is an essential part of the healing process. It helps us work through our emotions and find closure. However, it also has the potential to lead us down unhealthy coping routes such as drinking, smoking or other coping mechanisms which could be a detriment to yourself. Therefore, if you do feel overwhelmed by your emotions then please seek professional help immediately.

What Are the Different Stages of Grief?

Grief typically goes through five distinct stages. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance all play a part in this journey; it’s essential that we work through each one in order to fully heal from our loss. Although it may be challenging at times, there are plenty of supportive resources available to guide us along the way.

Denial: Refusing to Accept Loss

The initial stage of grief is denial. This involves refusing to acknowledge that a loss has taken place. We may try to rationalise away our sorrow or find reasons why things don’t appear as dire as they seem. It is essential that we acknowledge and work through this stage in order to move on.

Anger: Channeling Our Frustration Outward

The second stage of grief is anger. At this point, we may channel our frustration outward by blaming others or feeling resentful towards them. Without support from family and friends, resentment and bitterness can grow into overwhelming feelings which may be difficult to manage on our own, which you don’t have to do.

Bargaining: Struggling To Control Uncontrollable Situations

The third stage of grief is bargaining. This involves trying to control the uncontrollable and coming up with solutions that may not be realistic. We often make deals or promises in an effort to reverse our losses even when we know it’s impossible.

Depression: Feelings of Sadness and Hopelessness

The fourth stage of grief is depression. This stage presents with intense sadness and despair, feelings of being isolated from others or difficulty finding joy in activities we once enjoyed. It’s essential to recognize this stage and seek help if needed so we can move forward healthily.

Acceptance: Making Peace With Our Losses

The fifth and final stage of grief is acceptance. At this point, we finally make peace with our loss and move on with life. Although the pain may never truly go away, it will eventually become more manageable as we learn how to cope and find ways to live without the person or thing we lost.

7 Different Ways to Incorporate Grief, Sentimentality and Nostalgia into Your Life

Here are seven ways to incorporate grief, sentimentality and nostalgia into your daily life:

  1. Mindfulness: Meditating or practicing mindful breathing can be an excellent way to stay present, reduce anxiety and manage stress.
  2. Reflect on the music you loved growing up. Music can elicit emotions and bring back memories, creating a way to connect emotionally with others. It has the power to stir emotions within us all.
  3. Sharing Your Loss: Talking with family, friends or a professional counsellor can be extremely therapeutic and healing when grieving.
  4. Spend Time in Nature: Nature can have a calming effect on us, making it an ideal spot for reflection and coming to terms with grief.
  5. Make a Piece of Jewellery Out of Ashes: Remaking jewellery with sentimental value can help you process your grief in an expressive way. Or you can get necklaces for ashes by Memorials.com to keep memories alive.
  6. Celebrate Special Occasions with Loved Ones: Commemorating holidays or anniversaries of loved ones is an effective way to honour their memory and pay respect to them.
  7. Seek Out Support: Seeking out help and comfort from family, friends or a grief counsellor/support group can be immensely helpful and therapeutic.

Sentimentality, nostalgia and grief can be powerful emotions that shape how we respond to loss. They offer us comfort during trying times and help us come to terms with our feelings of sadness or joy. However, it’s essential to recognise when sentimentality has taken over and seek professional help if necessary; doing so will ensure you maintain a healthy perspective on life moving forward.

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