The heartache and devastation of losing someone you love can be shattering to your emotional well-being. At times, it can even impact you physically making it difficult to do the things that you normally do. Your life will forever be changed by the now missing piece of your puzzle. However, as bleak as it may seem now, the grief will eventually become more manageable.
Things to Know About Grief
The normal experience of processing the loss of a loved one is called grief. (Death is not the only thing that can cause one to grieve, but it is generally the most impactful.) The grieving process includes symptoms that are mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual.
- Mental: You may have difficulty concentrating, feel confused, and be preoccupied with your loss.
- Physical: You may feel numb, have difficulty sleeping, and feel fatigued.
- Social: You may shy away from social interactions or you may be clingy and not want to be left alone.
- Emotional: You will likely run through a lot of confusing emotions, not just feeling sadness. Guilt, anxiety, fear, and anger are all normal parts of the grieving process.
- Spiritual: You may struggle with your belief system or start considering different beliefs.
Learning to Heal
The path to healing is different for everyone. Things like your age, beliefs, personality, and social network can all have an effect on how you recover from your loss. There is no “normal” amount of time for dealing with the grief, but there are a few things that you can do to help.
The best thing that you can do is accept your feelings. Losing a friend, spouse, or family member takes a toll. It will take time to come to terms with it, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for taking all the time that you need.
It is also a good idea to build your support network. You can often find community groups or even professional group therapy that will help you deal with your loss. Remember, you will have good days and bad day, and you should always acknowledge your emotions and allow yourself to experience your feelings.
Some people need a physical object or place to focus their grief and help them honor their loved one that has passed on. For some, the burial site or gravestone is that place. However, if the deceased has been cremated, you may not have that physical connection that you desire. A way to honor your loved one and give yourself the focus that you need can be found in memorial jewelry or cremation jewelry. These pieces are actually miniature urns that allow you to carry a small number of your loved one's ashes with you. They come in many shapes and designs, so you can find a style that best suits your memory.
If you are interested in finding a piece of memorial jewelry, you can find lovely pieces at Johnston’s Cremation Jewelry. The stunning designs allow you to keep a piece of your loved one with you when you need them.