As a Humanistic Therapist one of the things I understand, is the importance of feeling & healing grief.  I don’t view grief negatively or something which needs to be eradicated.  Our emotions and feelings tell us about ourselves and what has meaning to us.

Something I have learnt through travel – a particular happy place of mine – is that using a happy place can be a useful & important tool to help a person grieve fully and thoroughly. 

When I travelled with my husband and children back in 2007, I had experienced loss, on top of loss, over many years.

Or complex grief as it is known in the world of therapy.

Complex grief can be particularly challenging, because we do not have time to move through the loss and grief before another dose is heaped upon us.

Losing so many pivotal family members, after extended periods of illness, meant that daily living had become quite difficult  – finally a marriage breakdown-plopped on top like a cherry on the top of ice cream, led me needing to escape from home. The place of safety, had eventually become a place where the ceiling pressed down on my mind, my grief and my soul. I needed to be outside and moving. Far better for my wellbeing.

I began to recognise a framework during my travels, which was enabling me to utilise something which brought my happiness out from within.  My insight as a humanistic therapist,  meant I could make sense on a deep level what was happening to me, as we explored the different places we visited and they drew out memories, thoughts, fears and emotions. As a family we enjoyed bringing a huge sprinkling of fun back into our lives and as much as the grief was with me – so was the laughter.

As my heart ached  and healed what I had been through- on a personal level I felt happy.

I recognised I was on a quest.

Since the inner nature is good or neutral rather than bad, it is best to bring it out and encourage it, rather than suppress it. If it is permitted to guide our life, we grow healthy, fruitful and happy. Abraham Maslow.