If you have lost someone recently or know someone who is going through a bereavement, it can be an incredibly hard and stressful time. We have some suggestions of support on our website that may help you or close ones through this difficult time. Please feel free to share what has helped you in the past. Coping with bereavement | Carers UK
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@Paola_Carers_UK, would this also help someone who nearly lost someone but has not lost. E. G. I nearly lost my mum last year around easter time but she survived but the grief you go through is nearly the same of losing someone.
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Paola, I’d like to see a section called something like “A new chapter of your life”. Once the immediate aftermath of grief after the loss o f my husband’s death was over, I wondered “now what am I supposed to do, who am I? I married at 19, never even lived alone. We had great adventures together, started a business together, even held hands as we were going to sleep. My own saviour was a book called Starting Again, by Sarah Litvinoff. Written primarily for divorcees, it seemed much more relevant to me than dealing with grief. I wanted to do the Right Thing but what was that?
I still have caring responsibilities, and am now increasingly disabled myself. The love I rediscovered was travel. I hadn’t travelled alone for 30 years, but two days after I left school I went by train, on my own, to work in Switzerland, so I knew I could do it. Looking after my own passport and money and going on a plane by myself was a really big deal! Now for two weeks a year I head for Greece, sunshine and a warm sea are the best medicine for me . My main hobby is sewing, so in the dark days of winter there is always a new summer dress being made. It’s my occupational therapy. Finally I can sit happily at home once more, on my own. That’s the hardest thing of all.
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@Michael_1910123, thank you for sharing your story, I think the page could help anyone who is going through grief or bereavement. I do understand is not the same as loosing someone, worth contacting your GP for support if this something that might need further help.
Thanks Bowlingbun, ’ A new chapter of your life’ sounds like a good suggestion. We often hear stories of cares who are not sure what do once they loose their loved ones. Thank you for sharing your coping strategies, visiting the sea, or hearing sea sounds can be very healing.
I lost my husband 5+!years ago. It was a long goodbye because of dementia.
As he had been in a nursing home for a long time I was used to living on my own. Still felt different when he was no longer with us admittedly.
The 1st few months of being on my own I wasn’t confident about finances. Also the title widowed was hard to take. Still is in many ways. Gradually I have adjusted, managing to maintain the house, finances are ok. I can save a certain amount each month. It really does take time to adjust and my family and myself will always miss him. He’s spoken about always, now the happier times we had and less of the painful memories
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