DOCUMENTARY MADE ME FEEL SO EMOTIONAL

Dear Coleen

I watched the George Michael Freedom documentary recently and the concert afterwards on TV.

I found myself crying all the way through and felt so moved hearing the songs. I never imagined I could get so emotional over someone

I’ve never met, but I have cried quite a lot since his passing. I’ve been a fan and we were born in the same year – 1963.

I lost my dad in January 2016 and over the past few years I also lost my mum and other relatives and I think I’m still grieving. I’m seeing a counsellor, but wondered if you had any thoughts on why a TV programme could provoke this reaction.

Coleen says

It’s clearly triggered a deep emotional response in you. I think when someone close dies, you almost have to put a brave face on and keep going and be strong.

Then when something unrelated happens, all those emotions can come flooding back and hit you, and you’re transported to the times when you lost your parents and other relatives.

It’s great that you’re seeing a counsellor and you should keep it up as long as you need to. The timescale of grief is different for everyone and what you’re feeling is completely natural. It doesn’t feel like it, but it’s your body’s way of healing.

When anyone dies, I instantly think of my sister Bernie who passed away four years ago. It’s almost like you’re given permission to cry and feel something. And that’s OK.