Grief is a natural human emotion that comes in response to loss. Everyone experiences grief differently and there is no prescribed or uniform way to grieve. Grief is a personal and individual experience and can be felt in many different ways, such as sadness, loneliness, guilt, regret, and anger. The first stage of grief is typically shock and disbelief. This is when reality has not yet set in and many people feel numb. This is a way to protect the individual and allow them to come to terms with the loss in their own time. The next stage is denial and isolation. This is when denial sets in – a person may try to find ways to cope with the emotional pain by refusing to accept the reality of the situation. This stage is often accompanied by a deep sense of loneliness due to the persons inability to cope and communicate with those around them. Anger is the next stage of grief, which is a natural human response to loss. This is when people become frustrated and often express their anger by blaming others or lashing out. While this is normal, it is important to recognize and manage the anger so as to not cause unnecessary hurt or damage to relationships. The fourth stage is bargaining and this is when the individual tries to negotiate with the universe, hoping to change the outcome of the situation by making a “deal”. The fifth stage is depression which can be very difficult to cope with. This is a time for self-reflection and accepting the reality of the loss. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the feelings felt in this stage in order to work through them. Lastly, the sixth stage is acceptance and this is when the individual acknowledges the loss and makes peace with it. This can take time but it is essential in the process of healing. Each person will experience varying levels of intensity and duration when going through the grieving process. It is important to remember that it is ok to acknowledge and voice your feelings in order to properly process the loss. If you feel that you need extra help, seek out professional help or therapy from a qualified professional.