The story begins with grief and despair. You've lost someone dear to you. It's hard to keep going from day to day, touchable memories of your loved one lingering and refusing to fade. You find yourself struggling to take care of even the most mundane tasks. Despair creeps in and takes hold, sluggish and heavy. Sooner or later it may start to feel like time itself has stopped.
When something so devastating happens, it can be difficult not to get stuck in the sorrow. But if you don't make progress through the darkness, it can lead to depression and an inability to move forward. This is why it's important to take a step back and assess where you’re at and what you need to do to keep going.
Grief and depression can manifest in different ways. It could mean sleeping more than usual or not being able to fall asleep, or eating more or less than usual. You might find yourself isolating yourself or avoiding people and activities that were once joyous. Oftentimes, it can be hard to keep motivated and accomplish the tasks we usually take for granted.
It's okay to take a break when you need to. While it might seem counterintuitive to rest during this trying time, doing nothing can help acknowledge that your feelings are real and valid. Taking some time for yourself can give you the space to process what happened, grieve, and eventually learn how to move forward.
Once your body and mind have had some time to adjust, you can start building up to taking on new challenges. Make a list of small achievable goals that you feel comfortable with. These don’t need to be grand ambitious tasks; even just doing the dishes or tidying up your room can be enough. Celebrate each success and be kind to yourself, as it might take longer to get used to life without your loved one.
To support yourself in times like this, it can be helpful to practice mindfulness and take care of your physical and mental health. Spending time in nature and exercising can be therapeutic and aid in the healing process. Aromatherapy, meditation, and talking to friends and family can also help ease the pain and anxiety.
Though it won’t be easy, we must remember that we are capable to getting through these dark patches—even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. We just need to be bold and take it step by step. Most of all, be gentle and loving towards yourself. Reach out to those close to you and ask for their help when you need it. You can get through this.
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