There’s nothing that can prepare you for the death of a parent, even if their life has been a happy and fulfilling one. The initial shock is going to be overwhelming enough, and then there are a whole host of things you’ll need to get sorted. You’re going to feel stressed because you’ve got to help the surviving parent decide what to do as well as organize funeral arrangements and finances.
You might have to take time off work or be worried about how your children are going to deal with the loss of a grandparent. All of this while putting on a brave face for the family. It is possible to make the transition easier for everyone.
Take Care of Yourself
Grief can be an emotional rollercoaster, and you might find yourself kept busy putting on a brave face and taking care of details and forget about taking care of yourself. Many people resort to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain and then find themselves in need of in need of a rapid drug detox. Instead, set aside a few hours every day to do something you enjoy doing. Enjoy a walk in the open air, listen to your favorite music, watch a movie or go out with your friends.
Allow Yourself to Feel What You Feel
There will be people all around you who are only too willing to help you speed up the grieving process. Keep yourself busy; you’ll hear them say. You’ll find people afraid to talk about your parent in front of you. You need to face your grief head-on and allow it to happen. Keeping yourself busy and attempting to block it from your mind will mean the feelings only surface later.
There’s No Recognized Timeline
Believe it or not, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve for a loved one. There’s no agreed-upon time limit either. Time will heal your wounds, but there’s no predicting how long that will be. For some, the pain never goes away. They learn to manage their grief. If your friends or family are telling you it’s about time you moved on don’t listen to them. You’ve got your own timetable to follow.
Get Organized
When a loved one passes away, there are going to be bills and other financial documents you need to keep track of. You may not be feeling up to it, but financial matters can’t be put on the back boiler for another day. Set aside a particular space in your home for all the legal and financial matters, rather than leaving a mess of paperwork on the dining table.
You might also want to create a dedicated space at the cemetery. Cemetery vases by Memorials.com let you add fresh flowers or keepsakes to your loved one’s resting place, helping you to stay connected over time.
Part of your self-care may involve seeking the help of a counselor. There’s nothing to feel embarrassed about. They will be able to help you develop strategies for dealing with your grief.
If you’ve never visited one before and are worried about what happens to think about the example you’re setting for your children. You’re showing them it’s okay to seek help when needed and to be open about their feelings.
Identity Magazine is dedicated to empowering women to discover their power of Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement. We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written. In this way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate one another, thus inspiring you to nail Your A-Game Approach™.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, but rather stepping into, embracing, and owning.
I’ve accepted that I am where I am, and that’s a good thing.
2. Appreciation is everything. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand,d OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
I have found that when I appreciate everything, I’m in a good space. I need to be more mindful of my tolerance of others.
3. Share with us one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
I’m proud of living my dream of an alternative lifestyle on a small holding surrounded by animals. My dream is to make enough time to write and paint more.
I love my own space and my independence. Love my family, friends and my pets.
Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash