Navigating the murky waters of managing grief is undeniably tough. It’s like being caught in a storm where the sun seems to have permanently set, leaving you in a continuous dusk. Yet, even in the darkest nights, stars can guide us to dawn. Finding ways to manage grief and stay positive doesn’t mean ignoring the pain. It’s about allowing yourself to see the light amidst the shadows. Let’s explore some pathways that can lead you toward that light, gently illuminating steps to heal and maybe, just maybe, smile again.
UNDERSTANDING GRIEF IS A JOURNEY
When you are grieving, you are going through a journey with many small steps and a few wrong turns. The better you can understand that now, the more skillfully you will be able to work through and manage grief. You need to know that, sure, there will be days when the sadness feels all-encompassing, but there will also, unexpectedly, be moments when a memory brings a smile or laughter. You also need to know that, embracing these moments of joy doesn’t mean you’re leaving your loved one behind or diminishing the love you felt. It’s a sign that love endures, transforming into strength that carries you through. Remember, it’s okay to feel okay, even if it’s just for a moment.
DOING SOMETHING TO REMEMBER THEM
Creating a memorial for your loved one is often a good way to remember the good times with them, while also giving yourself something positive to do instead of dwelling on the feelings of loss you may be having. There are tons of ways to do this, from these beautiful wooden urns from Memorials.com to reading their favourite book before turning it into a piece of art to hang on the wall, or planting a garden you know they would have loved – it doesn’t matter how you choose to remember them as long as it is a positive and lasting representation of who they are and how much you loved them.
EMBRACING SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES TO MANAGE GRIEF TOGETHER
Sharing your experience, even your rawest most difficult ones, with others, can really help to soothe your soul and set you on track to better times, so when you are grieving, it is a really good idea to talk to people who understand. Whether this is other people who loved the person you lost, or a supportive community of strangers (who won’t be strangers for long) going through their own grief journeys, you will find that sharing your feelings and telling your story will help you to build connections that support you to be more positive. Empathy is everything.
FINDING SOLACE IN CREATIVITY
Creativity can be a sanctuary for the grieving heart. Whether it’s penning down your thoughts, painting your emotions, or strumming away on a guitar, these creative outlets offer a voice to your feelings when words fall short. They’re not just distractions but expressions, capturing the essence of what you’re going through and transforming it into something tangible. Through creativity, you can find moments of peace, beauty, and even joy amidst sorrow, reminding you that grief does not define the entirety of your existence.
PRIORITIZING SELF-CARE AND WELLNESS
When you are grieving, it is easy to slip into not looking after yourself properly, so consumed are you with the rawness of your loss that nothing else seems to matter. This is not the way to go it might be hard, but you need to start caring for yourself.
Prioritizing your well-being is not selfish; it’s a total necessity right now. Simple acts of self-care, such as ensuring you’re eating nourishing foods, getting enough sleep, and engaging in physical activity, can significantly impact your emotional health, and of course, practices like meditation or yoga can offer moments of calm and clarity that will help you to see some light now and again.
SETTING SMALL, ACHIEVABLE GOALS TO HELP MANAGE GRIEF
When the world feels upside down, setting small, achievable goals can be a good way to bring some direction back into your life and make you feel, even just a little bit, hopeful about the future. This could be something as simple as treading that book you’ve always wanted to tackle or something bigger like trekking the Himalayas in honour of your lost one – it really doesn’t matter as long as it is something positive to aim for.
EMBRACING NATURE’S HEALING POWER
Never underestimate the healing power of Mother Nature to soothe you when your heart is broken. Taking some time out to hike in the woods or fish by a lake, where you can relax, listen to the birds sing and feel the sun on your face, will help you to feel more human, more connected, and more at peace with the nature of human life and all its frailties. Nature really is healing.
REDISCOVER LAUGHTER
You may have lost someone dear to you, but you know what? It is okay to have fun and laugh even, amid your grief, and doing so could help you feel more connected to life again. This is one way to help manage grief. So, make time to rediscover things that make you smile or laugh – a funny movie, a comic strip, or memories of funny moments shared with your loved one, and when you are doing so, think about how much your loved one would have enjoyed the moment laughing right alongside you. They are still there with you in spirit!
CULTIVATE GRATITUDE
Practising gratitude can transform the lens through which you view your life, even amid loss. Start a gratitude journal, noting down small things you’re thankful for each day. This could be as simple as a warm cup of coffee, a call from a friend, or a beautiful sunset. Focusing on these moments can shift your focus from what you’ve lost to the beauty that remains. Cultivating gratitude doesn’t diminish your grief but can help you navigate it with a heart that’s open to moments of joy and thankfulness amidst the pain.
We all go through grief in our way, and that means we all need to manage grief in our own way too, but I hope that you will find some of the tips above useful as you try to find that chink of light in what can feel like an endless blanket of dark. Just know that grief is a universal emotion and everyone will empathize with you at this time; you are not alone.
