The thing about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, the thing that was so profound to me that summer […] was how few choices I had. […] How there was no escape or denial. No numbing it down with a martini or covering it up with a roll in the hay. There were only two [options] and they were essentially the same. I could go back in the direction I had come from, or I could go forward in the direction I intended to go. […] And so I walked on.
-Cheryl Stayed, Wild
Grief brings about a collection of emotions that can be overwhelming. Every person will have a different method of coping and should take as long as they need to heal. However, there is still importance in exploring these confusing emotions, as repressing them can become draining.
Here are three ways to cope with grief inspired by Wild by Cheryl Strayed:
Here are three ways to cope with grief inspired by Wild by Cheryl Strayed:
1. Start a Journal
Writing a journal can provide therapeutic benefits especially if you are not ready or comfortable discussing your feelings with someone. It can help you organize your thoughts and properly express your feelings. You can start with journal prompts or simply mind dump.
2. Take up a new hobby
Finding an activity you enjoy can provide a sense of fulfillment or a temporary escape. It’s a great way to remain connected with yourself and other people that share similar interests. This may involve more mindful activities like reading, knitting, and photography or physical activities.
3. Go on a hike
Strayed uses hiking as a way to spend time with herself and confront her emotions. As she progresses along her hike, she not only learns what she is capable of, but the wilderness also gives her a space where she doesn’t have to hide her emotions which helps her heal her grief.