When it comes to transformation, healing and growth are kindred spirits. It’s impossible to have one without the other. But there is a third part of transformation that often gets overlooked.

Hidden grief.

While growth is worthy of celebration and change can be a very positive thing, it’s normal for there to be intense sadness surrounding what we give up as we evolve. Honestly, this is sometimes why we don’t change. This is why we stay in unhealthy relationships, delay that career change, postpone declaring and living out our truth, or keep forcing a friendship, even as it’s fading away…

Because it hurts to say goodbye to the familiar – even if it is a bit dysfunctional. It’s hard to sacrifice the comfort of an old identity and embrace the authentic reality that’s knocking on the door. And it’s downright painful to give up reliable coping mechanisms and comfort zones we were so attached to, even if they’ve been keeping us stuck.

But what if we held space for both transformation and grief? What if we bring hidden grief out of the shadows and honor it by mourning the loss of what once was (or what never was), even as we continue to pursue alignment?