Collective Grief in Chaotic Times: Shattered Assumptions and Healing

Can we get a break here already?! Whenever I turn on the news, I'm overwhelmed by distress and suffering across the world. Despite taking breaks from the media, the sense of unease never fully fades. Even as a grief therapist, I sometimes forget that this distress can be framed as collective grief.

What is Collective Grief?

Collective grief emerges when a large group of people shares emotional distress due to significant societal events. These events can challenge the foundations of our social fabric, leading to feelings of loss, uncertainty, and hopelessness. Elections, in particular, can serve as major triggers, intensifying fears about the future and deepening societal divides. Collective grief is unique in that it mirrors individual emotions on a broader societal scale, often leading to pervasive anxiety and despair.

The Shattered Assumptions Theory

Understanding collective grief through the lens of the Shattered Assumptions Theory can be helpful. Introduced by psychologist Ronnie Janoff-Bulman in her 1992 book Shattered Assumptions: Towards a New Psychology of Trauma, this theory explains how significant traumatic events disrupt our core beliefs about the world. We generally operate under three fundamental assumptions:

1. The world is benevolent – Life is safe, and people are good.
2. The world is meaningful – Events occur for understandable reasons, and justice prevails.
3. The self is worthy – We are valuable, deserving of positive experiences.

Traumatic or emotionally destabilizing events like political unrest or contentious elections can shatter these core beliefs. People may lose faith in the benevolence of the world, question the meaning behind societal events, and doubt their own agency. Collective grief deepens as these shattered assumptions ripple through communities, leaving many feeling lost or disillusioned.

Manifestations of Collective Grief

The emotional toll of shattered assumptions shows up in a variety of ways:

1. Anxiety and Fear: As core beliefs are challenged, feelings of anxiety about the future often take hold. People may worry not just about election outcomes but also the stability of the institutions they once trusted.
2. Frustration and Anger: Violated assumptions often lead to anger. When we believe our values or systems of justice have been undermined, frustration can manifest, amplifying societal discord.
3. Exhaustion and Overwhelm: Constant exposure to uncertainty, especially in politically charged environments, leads to emotional and physical exhaustion. The weight of trying to reconcile a shattered worldview can feel unbearable.

Elections and the Amplification of Collective Grief

Elections, especially during periods of heightened division or instability, often serve as catalysts for collective grief. People might feel that their assumptions about democracy, fairness, and justice are being eroded. Disillusionment with political leaders, fears over systemic failures, and anxieties about the future of rights or freedoms contribute to widespread collective distress.

For many, the election season isn’t just about political change but also about confronting existential fears. When the core values and principles of a democracy are called into question, it feels as though the very foundation upon which we base our lives is crumbling. This creates a pervasive sense of collective grief that ripples through entire communities, amplifying feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Healing and Moving Forward

To heal from collective grief, it's essential to recognize the deep impact of shattered assumptions. Understanding why we feel so disoriented or emotionally impacted can pave the way for meaningful recovery. Here are some practical ways each of us can find a path forward:

1. Restoring Meaning and Hope: When core beliefs are shattered, it’s important to rebuild a sense of purpose. Small actions that contribute to positive change—such as volunteering, engaging in community activism, or participating in meaningful conversations—can help restore a sense of control and hope.
2. Community Support: Collective grief calls for collective healing. Whether through virtual or in-person spaces, finding supportive communities to share emotions helps normalize the experience. These shared spaces provide validation and connection, reassuring us that we are not alone in our grief.  Of, course LetsReimagine.org is one of those organizations that is dedicated to holding space for those who want to gather virtually to feel connected to those who also are feeling the woes of the world and wish to support one another in their grieving processes.
3. Engaging the Nervous System: Because grief impacts both mind and body, physical healing practices can aid emotional recovery. Grounding techniques such as yoga, meditation, sound baths, and breathwork offer ways to regulate the nervous system and release built-up emotional tension.  I offer two weekly online yoga classes that are trauma-aware and nourishing (www.kenbreniman.com)
4. Focus on Control: In times of uncertainty, it’s helpful to focus on what is within your control. Participating in the political process—such as voting or advocating for causes you believe in—can help reclaim agency and restore a sense of self-worth, counteracting the disempowerment that often accompanies collective grief.

Collective Grief as a Catalyst for Transformation

Although collective grief is overwhelming, it can also become a powerful catalyst for growth and societal transformation. As individuals and communities come together to process grief, opportunities for healing and rebuilding arise. Shattered assumptions, while deeply painful, open pathways to stronger, more resilient understandings of ourselves and the world. In this way, collective grief has the potential to lead not only to personal healing but also to broader social change.

Moving Forward Together

Acknowledging the widespread nature of collective grief is essential during times of societal upheaval. Recognizing the shattering of our core beliefs allows us to address the root of our distress and start the process of rebuilding. By fostering community connections, engaging in healing practices, and taking purposeful action, we can move forward—together—toward a more just and compassionate future.

Collective grief may feel overwhelming, but it also offers an opportunity to reshape our world. When we join together to heal, we create the conditions for collective transformation, building a stronger, more connected society that is resilient in the face of future challenges.

And, to answer my introductory question:  we can give ourselves a break from the onslaught of the 24/7 news.  If you would like a place to gather on Monday, November 4th, I will be offering a pre-election day sound bath. More details can be found on www.LetsReimagine.org or www.kenbreniman.com

About Ken Breniman

Ken Breniman is a licensed clinical social worker, thanadoula, and yoga therapist based in Oakland, CA. He specializes in a Thanatology-informed approach to somatic grief therapy, sound healing, and psychedelic integration support. His holistic practice focuses on emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being, aligning closely with the goals of psychedelic integration by helping clients process and integrate insights from non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Ken's expertise in grief work, end-of-life care, and existential healing allows him to guide individuals through transformative experiences, including those encountered during psychedelic journeys. His approach emphasizes self-awareness, emotional resilience, and wholeness, key aspects of both yoga therapy and psychedelic healing. Through practices such as yoga, breathwork, and sound healing, Ken helps clients ground their psychedelic experiences, fostering a deeper sense of embodiment and clarity.

Additionally, Ken's work is trauma-informed, prioritizing the creation of safe, inclusive spaces for diverse populations.