Growing around grief is a model created by Grief Counsellor Lois Tonkin in 1996.
The visual metaphor; a circle representing grief, initially overwhelming and central in a person’s life, remains constant in size. However, another larger circle representing the individuals life gradually grows around the grief.
Overtime, although grief stays constant, it becomes a smaller part of the overall life experience as the person expands their world, develops new relationships and finds new meaning.
This model resonates with many because it acknowledges that while grief doesn’t disappear, people can still lead full lives despite their loss.
This in my eyes offers a compassionate and realistic approach to understanding long-term grief.
