Facing grief head-on
Grief, and the growth that happens in its aftermath, looks different to everyone. Ultimately, though, the form your grief takes doesn’t matter so much as the fact that you face it head-on. By this, we mean that you need to take the time to understand what’s happened and how that makes you feel.
It may be that talking to your spouse’s doctor about what happened helps you to find closure. Or, you may need to pursue a legal battle your loved one can’t fight regarding a death you feel was wrongful. Again, this can help, though asking key questions like ‘how long does it take to settle wrongful death claims typically?’ can be fundamental before you start a journey you don’t have the wherewithal to finish. You may even find that facing your grief simply means going through their belongings and getting rid of what you don’t need. It’s all a journey, and it can all make a difference in how you grow moving forward.
Finding ways to let friends in
It’s not unusual to build walls around yourself right now. The trouble is that isolated grief is always the hardest. Worse, moving forward becomes almost impossible if you’re trying to do it alone. Hence why it’s worth letting your friends in. After all, friends can partner you through life as much as your spouse, and they can certainly help you feel less alone. The key here is to take this at your own pace. Meet with one friend at a time, and build up slowly.
Seeking positive ways to remember their life
Once you’ve faced grief and let your friends back in, it may be time to start honoring your spouse’s life instead of grieving them. This is perhaps the most significant growth turning point of all, and it’s the best thing you can do to honor the person you loved. It may be that you start with framed photographs around the house, or perhaps you could host a party to celebrate rather than mourn. Either way, this is the last step on a journey of growth that will surely help you return to life while keeping those precious memories right along with you.