The Five Stages of Brexit Grief

I sat in the office this morning, watching Camerons Brexit speech and burst into tears. Never thought that would happen. Neither Britain actually leaving the EU, nor me crying at a politicians words. 

 

I am a British Citizen but I grew up in Germany. I can't even start to imagine what it must feel like, living on the island right now. Especially if you voted remain. A choice I did not have.  All I know is, that I feel the impact. And in my opinion: Basically, we're all screwed. 

Yes, the EU is not exactly working out wonderfully. And yes, I am scared too, when I look at what has been happening over the last few months/years. But when we get scared and things go wrong – shouldn't we stick together? And not just with the ones we know / that are like us, because the others scare us ...

 

I called my mum and dad – and just like me, they are in shock. I feel like something was ripped from inside my body. And my emotions are going all over the place. And as it always does, when I go slightly mad, my mind turned to music. One song after the next kept popping into my head. 

 

It made me think of grief counseling. The Kübler-Ross model: 5 Stages of Grief. Seems to fit. Just that it's all going on at once.

So I created a playlist – My Brexit Grief Stages – hoping, that I can concentrate on work again (sorry, boss) once that is done.

 

Stage 1: Denial 

I still can’t quite believe what happened. I mean … against all odds … we can work this out. (Phil Colins: Against All Odds)

 

Stage 2:  Anger 

Ok, no more denying – this is just so f***ed up. F*** you very much, indeed! And you want to stay friends? Keep up good relationships with the EU? You have got to be kidding me. Do you really think that is going to happen? Do you really think the EU won’t make Britain pay in any possible way – to scare other countries to follow? Grexit? Italeave? Czeck out? What’s next? (Lily Allen: Fuck You;  Revolverheld: Freunde bleiben)

 

Stage 3: Bargaining

There has to be something we can do about this mess. We are all in this together. Weather you leave or not. Look at the great things people can create if they stick together.  (Flashmob Flash Mob: Ode an die Freude ( Ode to Joy ) Beethoven Symphony No.9)

 

Stage 4: Depression

I can’t handle this. Just give me back my „old EU“. (Acoustic Beatles Cover by Robert Nottingham: Yesterday)

 

Stage 5: Acceptance

I don’t know where we are going. But does it matter? Do we have a choice? No. (Gareth Malone’s All Star Choir: Wake me up (Avicii Cover))

 

P.S.: Sorry for my English ... not the best, I know