By Carrie Vittitoe
Loss is a part of life, but experiencing an emotional loss can make one’s heart feel like it is physically hurting. Licensed marriage and family therapist Brittani Hoyer says any kind of loss can lead to feelings of grief or heartbreak, including the loss of a loved one through divorce or death, the loss of a lifestyle as a result of an illness, or even the end of an addiction. Parents frequently go through little valleys of grief as their children leave one stage of life behind.
An individual who experiences the breakup of a marriage or long-term friendship may feel anger or a sense of abandonment. Brittani says while a person who loses a loved one through death may also experience anger or abandonment, they may direct their feelings at God or life or luck rather than the individual who died.
Whether a loss results from a breakup, a death, or a dramatic life change, Brittani says “support is essential, whether it be friends or family, a counselor, or medication. That’s the first thing I focus on with clients.” Someone who has experienced the death of someone close might find comfort in doing some reminiscing exercises to bring up happy memories. A person who has experienced a breakup may need to work on rebuilding her self-esteem, taking time to find out what she likes and values about herself. Eventually, individuals will work to start new traditions in their lives, and their hearts will begin to heal.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
Brenda Frank, special assistant to Mayor Greg Fischer, has seen Louisvillians give their hearts in service since 2011 when the mayor adopted the goal to make the city more compassionate. At first, people were confused by the concept of a compassionate city. “People shook their heads and said, ‘What do you mean?’” Brenda says. One of the primary ideas in making Louisville more compassionate was to ask residents to engage in acts of service.
Being a sensitive person has many benefits. Therapist Brittani Hoyer says sensitive people tend to be more empathetic. “They understand others’ feelings and typically have a lot more compassion for others,” she says. However, there are times when being sensitive displays itself in ways you might not like. Sensitive people might feel embarrassed if they cry at work or at school. They may worry that others think they are babies or can’t handle a job or responsibility.
