How do you Grieve the Loss of yourself?

January 13, 2025

How do you Grieve the Loss of yourself?

Do I not know

who I am

or am I just scared

to let go of

who I once was?

Fearing the disappointment

others may feel

How little they may recognize me

But will it hurt that much

to lose people

who never really saw me anyways?

This version of me

Carefree

Unworried

Just living

is in such contrast

to the girl

who tried so hard

to do it right

Shall I grieve her?

Grieve the years and years and years

she strived?

Grieve the girl who longed to belong

but it never felt right?

SHE never felt right

How do you grieve

the loss of yourself?

Do you cry?

Hold a memorial?

And how do you say goodbye?

Or do you?

poetry

change, cry, grieve, identity, loss, loss of self, poem, poetry

Posted by:

Jessica P. Mills

I see the world through stories and insights. I have always been a sensitive soul, especially towards nature, people, art, and faith. I spend a lot of time reflecting and finding treasures wherever I can. The two values I live by are beauty and celebration. I hope my blog communicates those two things, seeing beauty where beauty is not often seen and celebrating every aspect of life, the hard and the easy.

3 responses to “How do you Grieve the Loss of yourself?”

Sarah Martyn – Author

January 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm

Personally, the me I was before a trauma in 7th grade at camp, and during my overachieving school years, and post-betrayal/divorce and so on… they’re all me. Even the youngest, least formed version, striving to be liked by everyone and to fail so minimally was me. I can’t say I grieved any prior version, but in my mind I’ve told younger me many things I wish she knew.

Reply
1. Jessica P. Mills
  
  January 14, 2025 at 10:49 pm
  
  I hear you. I think some people are re
  ading this poem and thinking it means I am saying those versions of me aren’t me. I agree they are all still me, but I am also no longer her, so there is grief there.
  
  Reply
  1. Sarah Martyn – Author
    
    January 14, 2025 at 10:55 pm
    
    that clarification actually does help!

About Me

An obsessive journaler who loves meeting others along their journey and giving them a hand to hold through pieces of writing. I write about the heartbreaks of life and the joys, the ups and downs, and I often learn my greatest lessons and miracles from nature.

Joyful Ruins