Don’t Let Grief Become Part of Your Identity — Victoria L. Volk Tendrils of Grief

Victoria Volk is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and the author of The Guided Heart. Victoria spent her entire life trying to figure out what was wrong with her, why she’d get angry for almost no reason, and the inner despair that she had in her heart. It wasn’t until she discovered the Grief Recovery Institute that things clicked for her. She had let her grief become part of her identity and it stunted her growth as a person. She shares her story and how it’s okay to not be okay. 
 
Key Takeaways:
Victoria lost both her father and her grandmother from cancer when she was 8 and her sister, who she was close with, graduated from high school and left home. Victoria’s mother took on a lot of grief and there weren’t resources back then that she could turn to. Victoria grew up so angry and it took her a long time to address this anger. Back then it was a sign of weakness to express grief or intense sadness. Victoria had a midlife unraveling when her children began to leave the house. When Victoria became a certified grief recovery specialist, that’s when things really clicked for her on her own traumas that she’s carried throughout her life. How is the Grief Recovery Institute different from other grief certification programs? Grief can really derail your entire life and it can even become part of your identity. Victoria feels like her grief stalled her growth early on. There’s over 40+ different losses we can experience in our life. Society makes it difficult to fully grieve and process our emotions. The Grief Recovery Institute is a 7 week program. If you feel like you’re not okay, it’s okay to ask for help. There is nothing wrong with you.  
Resources:
Theguidedheart.com
Theunleashedheart.com