Grief on Autopilot

Grief on Autopilot

In the vast expanse of grief, where emotions echo in the corridors of the heart, many find themselves traversing the landscape of life in a state of autopilot. Where the destination is uncertain, and the path is shrouded in a thick mist of sorrow.

Living with grief is like walking through a fog that obscures the clarity of everyday existence. The routine tasks become mechanical, and the once vibrant colours of life fade into muted tones. In the midst of this fog, individuals often discover themselves navigating through the motions, guided by an internal autopilot that takes over the reins when the heart feels too heavy to lead.

The mornings blend into afternoons, and nights follow in a rhythmic procession, each day marked by a sense of detachment. In this autopilot mode, one may find solace in the familiarity of routine, yet struggle to engage fully with the world outside. The autopilot becomes both a shield and a barrier, offering a semblance of normalcy while distancing us from the rawness of emotions that grief brings.

There’s this delicate balance between surrendering to the autopilot for self-preservation and the need to break free from its grasp to embrace the healing process. It’s in the moments when the fog momentarily lifts that allows a glimpse of clarity, and it’s in these moments that become beacons of hope in the midst of the grief-induced haze.

While the autopilot serves as a coping mechanism, I encourage those walking through grief to acknowledge the importance of confronting grief head-on. Find moments of genuine connection with oneself and others, breaking through the autopilot's monotony, whilst trying to engage with the spectrum of emotions that accompany your loss. In the symphony of sorrow, the autopilot's mechanical cadence may offer a refuge, but true healing lies in the courageous embrace of raw emotions.

Amidst the fog, dare to break free, to feel the weight of grief, and to rediscover the vibrant hues of life. In acknowledging the pain and seeking genuine connections, one navigates not only the landscape of loss but also charts a course towards resilience. It's in the surrender to vulnerability that the healing journey truly begins, transcending the autopilot's monotony to find strength in the midst of grief's delicate dance.

Sandra Martins-Toner