Running And Grief – How Running Helped Me In My Grieving
- Sep 25, 2023
- 5 min read
Written by: Tracey A. Chapman, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
How lacing up and moving can help us move forward when tragedy strikes. Why is keeping our life fresh through grieving like our running shoes important?
As someone who has always been passionate about running, I began my journey at a young age, covering miles around the country farm. In those days, I preferred running barefoot, finding shoes heavy and cumbersome. However, as time passed, I transitioned to running with minimalist shoes, finding the perfect balance between protection and freedom.
When sorrow overwhelms our hearts and life feels burdensome, running transcends its physical nature and becomes a refuge for our souls. It can heal and provide solace, especially during the darkest times. Even in my personal experience of losing my precious son, running became the sanctuary that carried me through the darkest times.
“Like the trusty pair of running shoes that support us, finding balance in our grieving process is essential.” –Tracey Chapman
Through running, we discover solace and clarity, allowing us to navigate the pain and find strength within ourselves. As we lace up our shoes and hit the pavement, we embark on a journey towards healing and renewal.
Running keeps our life fresh, just like our runners - reminding us that even in darkness, there is always light ahead. So, let your feet guide you on this path of recovery, where every step brings you closer to finding peace amidst sorrow.
The analogy of keeping our life fresh through grieving, like how we replace worn-out running shoes, suggests that just as we periodically need to replace old, worn-out shoes to maintain our physical well-being and comfort, we also need to engage in the process of grieving to maintain our emotional and psychological well-being. Here are some reasons why this concept is essential:
Emotional Healing: Grieving is a natural and necessary process for dealing with loss and emotional pain. Just as wearing worn-out shoes can cause physical discomfort, unprocessed grief can lead to health issues, emotional distress, and unresolved pain. Allowing ourselves to grieve helps us heal emotionally and move forward.
Mental Health: Suppressing grief can have detrimental effects on our mental health. Like shoes that have lost their cushioning and support, unresolved grief can increase stress, anxiety, and depression. Processing grief is essential for maintaining good mental health.
Closure: Replacing old shoes with new ones can bring a sense of closure to the discomfort and inconvenience caused by the old ones. Similarly, grieving provides a sense of closure to the emotional pain associated with loss. It helps us accept and adapt to the changes that come with loss, allowing us to move forward.
Personal Growth: Grief can be a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. It forces us to confront our emotions, values, and priorities. Just as getting new running shoes can inspire us to be more active and take better care of our physical health, grieving can motivate us to reassess our lives and make positive changes.
Relationships: Unresolved grief can strain relationships with others, as our emotional pain may affect our interactions and communication. By allowing ourselves to grieve, we can work through our emotions and maintain healthier relationships with those around us.
Resilience: Grieving is a process that teaches us resilience and adaptability. It can be uncomfortable and challenging, like breaking in a new pair of shoes, but it ultimately helps us build emotional resilience and adapt to life's inevitable changes.
Preventing Complications: Just as ignoring foot pain caused by old shoes can lead to foot problems, ignoring grief can lead to more complicated emotional issues in the future. Addressing grief in a timely manner can prevent these complications.
"Bounce forward" through grieving
"Grieving Like a Pair of Running Shoes" is a metaphorical expression that suggests using the grieving process to recover and "Bounce Forward" from difficult or painful experiences. Just as a pair of running shoes can provide support, stability, and comfort during a run, grieving can offer emotional support and healing during challenging times. Here's how you can use this metaphor to navigate the grieving process and bounce forward:
Acknowledge the Pain: Just as you need to recognise the discomfort or pain in your feet before deciding to wear running shoes, acknowledge and accept your grief. Recognising and honouring your emotions rather than suppressing or denying them is essential.
Select the Right "Shoes": Choose the suitable coping mechanisms and support systems that work best during your grieving process. This might include seeking therapy, talking to friends and family, or engaging in emotional relief activities.
Take One Step at a Time: Grieving, like running, can be a long journey. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. Understand that healing is a gradual process, and there will be ups and downs.
Find Comfort and Support: Just as running shoes provide comfort and support for your feet, seek comfort and support from loved ones, support groups, or professionals. Working with a coach or therapist can help you navigate your grief and provide a safe space to express your feelings.
Allow for Flexibility: Running shoes are designed to adapt to the contours of your feet. Similarly, allow your grief process to be flexible. Your emotions may ebb and flow, and adjusting your coping strategies as needed is okay.
Set Goals: In running, you set goals to achieve and improve. In grieving, set personal goals for healing and recovery. These goals can help you maintain a sense of purpose and progress.
Remember the Bounce: Running shoes offer bounce and cushioning to reduce impact. In grieving, remember that you can bounce forward from your pain. Healing is possible, and you can find joy and happiness again.
Take Care of Yourself: Just as you maintain your running shoes to ensure they perform well, take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Eat well, exercise, and practice self-care to support your healing process.
Celebrate Progress: Celebrate your small victories and progress in your grieving journey. Just as runners celebrate milestones, acknowledge, and celebrate the steps you take toward healing and recovery.
Embrace New Beginnings: Eventually, running shoes may wear out, and you need to replace them to keep running comfortably. In your grieving process, embrace new beginnings and opportunities for growth that may arise as you heal.
It's important to note that everyone grieves differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the grieving process. Some people may find solace in talking to friends and family, while others may benefit from coaching, professional counselling, or support groups.
Ultimately, acknowledging and honouring your emotions and permitting yourself to grieve appropriately is the key. Doing so lets you keep your emotional well-being fresh and resilient, just as you would with a comfortable pair of running shoes.
Transformation is vital when we set out to overcome our adversities and rebuild our lives. Information alone doesn't transform. My "Rebuild Your Power" coaching program will empower you to find new passion, purpose, and meaning in weeks instead of years.
Remember, as a high performer who's walked this journey and come out on the other side, I have the rare blend of experience and credentials to make a lasting difference in your life.
Apply HERE for an opportunity to work with me.
Reach out to me to let me know you've read my article. I'd love to hear from you. For more inspiration and strategies, follow Tracey Chapman on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Website.
Tracey A. Chapman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tracey Chapman is one of the few Resilience and Certified High-Performance coaches who has walked the painful grief journey and now specialises in helping executive men and women find new passion, purpose, and meaning and rebuild their lives after a devastating loss.
With her extensive knowledge and experience in High-Performance and Resilience Coaching, Tracey has designed a remarkable "Rebuild Your Power" coaching program. This program is for executives who are going through a complicated grieving process. By participating in this program, executives gain the tools and support they need to get things done and rebuild their confidence, motivation, and inspiration. Which ultimately empowers them to move forward faster and achieve their goals with renewed strength and determination without the fear of forgetting the one they love.
