Page 24 - Forrester Maher FH
P. 24
Guilt can be one of the hardest emotions Be patient with yourself
to deal with and it may last a long time. Grieving takes time. It takes far longer
Self blame and doubt add to the pain of than anyone expects, particularly you.
grief. This can make it difficult to share You really don’t ever get “over it” but you
with others. Talking about your feelings can get “through it”. This loss is a part of
or keeping a journal often helps you gain your life. Be assured, you will not always
perspective and insight. There are no feel as you do right now. Listen to yourself
right or wrong feelings in grief, there are and go forward at your own pace. Don’t
just your feelings. be surprised when grief shows up again.
Just when you think you might be doing
Take care of yourself better, you may find yourself crying in the
Have compassion and take care of grocery store or when you hear a specific
yourself. Eat properly, get enough rest song on the radio. Anger and guilt can
and exercise. Grief causes tremendous strike anywhere at any time. Forgive
stress on your body. It attacks even the yourself for living when your loved one
strongest immune system. You may catch did not.
more colds, experience headaches or
muscle aches. Taking care of yourself is Find yourself
more important now than ever before. Grief has changed your life completely.
You might try some deep breathing You cannot go back to being who you
exercises or relaxation techniques. You were. You really don’t ever get “over it”
can find relaxation tapes at a library or a but you can get “through it”. You can
book store. learn to live with who you are now. Most
bereaved people experience a change
Take control of perspective and discover that their
It is important at this time to do things priorities change. Now is a time to take
that can give you back some sense of a personal inventory and reassess your
control. You will be faced with making beliefs and values. You may find great
many decisions regarding your future, comfort in your faith community as you
both personal and financial. Take time look for meaning. You will discover new
making major decisions. Begin slowly. strengths and talents. Trust your heart.
Handle projects in small increments of
time. This will help build your confidence Create new routines and rituals
and prove that you are making progress. Develop new routines and patterns as
you search for the new you. Acknowledge
Put the clothes away when you are ready. the empty chair and move it. Rearrange
Do not let others push you to make your furniture and create a space just for
decisions you are uncomfortable making. you. Exercise at a specific time each day.
Journal and make an entry daily. Daily
As you are getting your finances in patterns will help you develop your new
order, get your other affairs in order to. identity and find a new normality.
Change insurance beneficiaries. Check
your health and other insurance policies. Find ways to remember the life of your
Discuss your own funeral arrangements loved one daily. You do not have to say
with your family and funeral director. goodbye. It is important to acknowledge
Taking care of life’s “paperwork” can the change in your relationship. You do
help restore a sense of control and give not stop loving someone just because
you peace of mind. they have died. You can still maintain
a relationship in your heart. They are a
part of who you are and who you are
becoming.
Page 24 - Forrester Maher Funeral Home
