🎓Graduation & Grief- Wait, what?!
You read that correctly. Graduation is one of those milestones in life that often brings up sneaky grief.
For the person graduating, this is often a significant accomplishment and milestone. Depending on what they are graduating from, it may also be the turning point for a lot of change, and potential loss. They may be leaving a school, community, support system, peer group behind. This also represents a change in regular routine, expectations and even identity. Even if graduation is a positive event, these changes can feel unexpectedly hard, and bring up conflicting feelings about the past, present and future.
Graduations are a big deal for many people, and they can also draw attention to grief around relationships that have ended, and people who should be in attendance but they aren't due to the loss or change in the relationship. Celebrating an accomplishment can feel bittersweet when someone important is missing from the festivities.
Graduation from high school or post secondary can also cause grief for caregivers, especially if it represents a launching point for young adults to move away or become more independent. Again, conflicting feelings around this are normal!
This is your gentle reminder to be kind to yourself and others when going through significant life changes, and that it is ok to have mixed feelings even when the change is positive.
If you need support around life transitions, identity or grief, our team is here to help. Check out our website to learn more about our accessible mental health services.