Poem
Sadness
It’s part of who we are
as that which is necessary
but unwanted
It’s following us
unsolicited
like a shadow
It’s no longer
than the flip side of happiness
the same image
in a different light
Stef Bos
Useful Links
On this site, you can find all kinds of information about a form of grief called “living loss.”
You can get started on your own with Therapieland’s online programs.
Books, podcasts, and articles
Books, articles, and podcasts by Manu Keirse can be helpful during the grieving process:
Interview
Books
Podcast
What can help you cope with the loss of your eye?
Writing with pen and paper can really help. Write down what you’re feeling and thinking. That way, you’ll learn to understand yourself better.
Music can also be a source of comfort. It helps us express our emotions. A beautiful and fitting song is “Bright Eyes ” by Art Garfunkel.
Sometimes it’s enough to just let yourself feel your feelings. It’s okay to be angry, scared, or sad. Don’t fight those feelings—just let them be. This idea comes from mindfulness.
Exercise is also a good way to cope with emotions, especially when it’s hard to talk. Try going for a walk, dancing, or playing sports.
Two Ways of Grieving
People grieve in different ways in everyday life: This can make it difficult to come to terms with loss and to understand one another. Below, we explain two ways of grieving using an illustration by Stroebe and Schut (1998):
Rita Verduin’s Blog
It’s already been 10 years since I lost sight in one eye due to an ocular infarction. Most of the time, I don’t even notice it anymore. I do everything I want with my remaining eye—even skiing, where I whiz down the slopes at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. This year we haven’t had much luck with the weather—it’s cloudy and often foggy. Skiing in fog is pure hell for me. All I see is a white haze; I panic, and my technique goes out the window. For me, the panic triggers a recurring pain stemming from loss. It might not even be the loss of my eye itself, but rather the feeling of helplessness that overwhelmed me when my right eye suddenly went black. Continue reading the blog.
