It's ok that you're not ok : meeting grief and loss in a culture that doesn't understand

When a painful loss or life-shattering event upends your world, here is the first thing to know: there is nothing wrong with grief. “__Grief is simply love in its most wild and painful form__,” says Megan Devine. “I__t is a natural and sane response to loss__.” So why does our culture treat grief like a disease to be cured as quickly as possible? In **It’s OK That You’re Not OK**, Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides - as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner - Devine writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, “__happy__” life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it. Many people who have suffered a loss feel judged, dismissed, and misunderstood by a culture that wants to “__solve__” grief. Devine writes, “__Grief no more needs a solution than love needs a solution__.” Through stories, research, life tips, and creative and mindfulness-based practices, she offers a unique guide through an experience we all must face - in our personal lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the wider world. **It’s OK That You’re Not OK** is a book for grieving people, those who love them, and all those seeking to love themselves - and each other - better. Challenging conventional wisdom on grief, a pioneering therapist offers a new resource for those experiencing loss When a painful loss or life-shattering event upends your world, here is the first thing to know: there is nothing wrong with grief. "Grief is simply love in its most wild and painful form," says Megan Devine. "It is a natural and sane response to loss." So, why does our culture treat grief like a disease to be cured as quickly as possible? In It's OK That You're Not OK, Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides#8212;as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner#8212;Megan writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, "happy" life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it. In this compelling and heartful book, you'll learn: Why well-meaning advice, therapy, and spiritual wisdom so often end up making it harder for people in grief How challenging the myths of grief#8212;doing away with stages, timetables, and unrealistic ideals about how grief should unfold#8212;allows us to accept grief as a mystery to be honored instead of a problem to solve Practical guidance for managing stress, improving sleep, and decreasing anxiety without trying to "fix" your pain How to help the people you love#8212;with essays to teach us the best skills, checklists, and suggestions for supporting and comforting others through the grieving process Many people who have suffered a loss feel judged, dismissed, and misunderstood by a culture that wants to "solve" grief. Megan writes, "Grief no more needs a solution than love needs a solution." Through stories, research, life tips, and creative and mindfulness-based practices, she offers a unique guide through an experience we all must face#8212;in our personal lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the wider world. It's OK That You're Not OK is a book for grieving people, those who love them, and all those seeking to love themselves#8212;and each other#8212;better "In It's OK That You're Not OK, Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides - as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner - Megan writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, 'happy' life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it. In this compelling and heartful book, you'll learn: Why well-meaning advice, therapy, and spiritual wisdom so often end up making it harder for people in grief. How challenging the myths of grief - doing away with stages, timetables, and unrealistic ideals about how grief should unfold - allows us to accept grief as a mystery to be honored instead of a problem to solve. Practical guidance for managing stress, improving sleep, and decreasing anxiety without trying to 'fix' your pain. How to help the people you love - with essays to teach us the best skills, checklists, and suggestions for supporting and comforting others through the grieving process. Many people who have suffered a loss feel judged, dismissed, and misunderstood by a culture that wants to 'solve' grief. Megan writes, 'Grief no more needs a solution than love needs a solution.' Through stories, research, life tips, and creative and mindfulness-based practices, she offers a unique guide through an experience we all must face - in our personal lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the wider world"--Amazon.com When a painful loss or life-shattering event upends your world, here is the first thing to know: there is nothing wrong with grief. “ Grief is simply love in its most wild and painful form ,” says Megan Devine. “I t is a natural and sane response to loss .” So why does our culture treat grief like a disease to be cured as quickly as possible? In It’s OK That You’re Not OK , Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides - as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner - Devine writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, “ happy ” life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it. Many people who have suffered a loss feel judged, dismissed, and misunderstood by a culture that wants to “ solve ” grief. Devine writes, “ Grief no more needs a solution than love needs a solution .” Through stories, research, life tips, and creative and mindfulness-based practices, she offers a unique guide through an experience we all must face - in our personal lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the wider world. It’s OK That You’re Not OK is a book for grieving people, those who love them, and all those seeking to love themselves - and each other - better. "Having experienced grief from both sides-- as a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner-- Devine writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, 'happy' life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it."--Page 4 of cover