How to Grieve the Loss of Kobe Bryant (and other celebrities)

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

~Kobe Bryant

Kobe died. Just like that...it’s the end. Even when we don’t know someone personally, celebrity death has a way of stopping us in our tracks, forcing us to reflect on the finality of life. Scrolling down my timeline I see people in shock and disbelief mourning the loss of a person who has influenced and inspired an entire nation and probably the whole world. We often feel a very strong connection to these celebrities as if we were immediate family members, but we don’t recognize just how much an impact they have on our lives until they pass away. It is even more trying when the celebrity dies suddenly and tragically as in the case of Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter. It is absolutely traumatizing, yet we aren’t real family members of these celebrities, so how do we grieve the loss of someone we feel so attached to but had no real ties?

The truth is, mourning the loss of someone you admire is very similar to mourning the loss of someone you personally know. So go ahead and feel all the feels, it’s totally appropriate. Feelings may range from shock and disbelief to hurt and anger. All emotions are valid so do not try to hide or avoid them. It can actually be healthy to face them head on. The good news is that you will certainly not be alone in what you are experiencing. I am sure for someone like Kobe Bryant there will be memorials, vigils, murals, meet ups and other ways to remember his life with like minded individuals. Many times it helps to have some sort of ritualistic practice as a way to direct the pain and hurt in a healthy manner. 

It’s often helpful to focus on honoring the legacy of the person, which is relatively easy to do when you are talking about beloved celebrities. Remember celebrities such as Kobe Bryant wasted little time on this earth chasing their dreams and becoming the best in their field of expertise. I think this is one of the greatest lessons we can take from them. In the end the most valuable currency is not money, fame, or status...its TIME. Time is precious and every single moment matters more than you will ever know. Take this time to reflect on your life, appreciating not just that you are alive but are afforded another day to LIVE. Then do Kobe and yourself a favor by figuring out ways you can live your best life too.  

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