Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart

Is Anticipatory Grief a Good Thing?

Is it a bad thing? Or is it maybe a secret, third thing?

In the realm of grief, there exists a phenomenon that often goes unrecognized yet profoundly impacts individuals and communities: and that is anticipatory grief.

Anticipatory grief is a complex emotional response to an anticipated loss, such as the impending death of a loved one or the anticipation of significant life changes.

Today we’re going to dig a little deeper into the topic for greater understanding, ideas on how to cope with anticipatory grief, and of course, ways to pursue integration and healing while we decide if it’s a good or a bad thing for us to experience.

While traditionally associated with the prospect of death, anticipatory grief can manifest in various forms and contexts, disrupting our holistic selves and challenging our resilience in unexpected ways.

Photo by Josh Austin via Unsplash

Anticipatory grief is a multifaceted experience characterized by a range of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that arise in anticipation of loss. Unlike what might be considered a conventional grief experience, which occurs in response to a concrete event, anticipatory grief unfolds over an extended period, preceding the actual loss.