WE ARE SORRY for your loss 💛

[SummerOnTheWay1]

THIS GROUP IS OPEN TO ALL GRIEVERS NO MATTER HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN [years,days].

To participate, click on reply button at bottom of this post. Enter your comment. Click on reply again.

Grief & Loss Team  🤗

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   WELCOME!!!

While WE cannot bring back YOUR luv one, we do UNDERSTAND. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Why?

We too have lost luv ones and together we have "muddled" through the best we can.

Our Welcome Mat is ALWAYS there for YOU my friend.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[*** .gif attached] Sending a HUG your way my friend 🤗💛

[SummerOnTheWay1]

Live ONE day at a time!

(1) Set a regular daily routine and do something SPECIAL for yourself EVERY day.

(2) Try to go for a walk, meditate and do something relaxing.

(3) It’s a good idea to avoid making any major decisions for about a year after the death of someone you love.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

COPING Strategies!

(1) Support: Lean on friends, family, or support groups.

(2) Self-Care: Maintain a routine, eat healthily, and get rest.

(3) Professional Help: Seek counseling if grief feels overwhelming.

(4) 3 C's: Choose (to heal), Connect (with others), and Communicate (your needs).

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌⛈‌‌‌️‌‌‌☃️‌‌‌     Sometimes the WEATHER can "affect" OUR MOODS & having a Plan B, C and so on "in place" for those NOT NICE weather days & nights is wisdom. ‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌

We can for example, go OUTSIDE and "dance" in the rain. Yes, being a kid again. ‌‌‌‌‌‌😉‌‌‌‌‌‌

Or light a fire & sip hot chocolate while we read.

Do whatever "uplifts" you on those DREARY rainy or cold days.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌💤‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😴‌‌‌   NOT Sleeping At Nights?

Try to "nap" during the day.

Why?

Even a FEW MINUTES of "shut eye" will help with YOUR sadness. ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Luv,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🕯‌‌   Be SPECIFIC: Tell people what you need (e.g., a hug, help with errands).

*** Yes, we DONOT want to be a "burden" but they want to HELP. ‌‌ ‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🏡‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   The EXPERTS tell us to WAIT before making Housing Decisions!!!

Why?

While WE ARE GRIEVING, sometimes we tend to make "decisions" based on OUR EMOTIONS.

We want the "memories" to NOT hurt!!!

Maybe "step away" from YOUR Housing Setup & stay with family/friends.

Use THIS TIME to deal with the stuff that CANNOT WAIT.

Then REVISIT the Housing Topic.

Some of us stayed put & made changes.

Some of us downsized as finances had changed.

Some of us relocated to be near to family.

DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU ALWAYS.

Grief  & Loss Team  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪔   You might need to:

(1) Write a NEW will and UPDATE your advance care planning.

(2) Look into a durable power of attorney for legal matters and health care in case you are unable to make your own medical decisions in the future.

(3) Put JOINT property (such as a house or car) in your name.

(4) Consider changes you may need to make to your health insurance as well as to your life, car, and homeowner’s insurance.

(5) Make a list of BILLS you will need to pay in the next few months, for example, your rent or mortgage; utilities such as electricity, water, and phone and internet services; insurance; and state and federal taxes.

*** Try NOT to "stress" and take 1 step at a time!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🏞‌   JUST FOR TODAY - Take a walk or drive to somewhere beautiful. BOTH will remind YOU of nature & how nature SURVIVES no matter what. Wildlife ALSO lose luv ones but somehow NEVER give up. Hey, WE CAN DO THE SAME my friend(s). You got this!!! ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌♻️‌‌‌   SOME of us have been MEMBERS of this group for YEARS.

Over the YEARS, we stop by "when we can" to SHARE and also to SUPPORT other members.

This group is NOT only about grief & loss - it is about ALL areas of our lives that have been "affected" by our loss.

Support that NEVER ends.

So stop by when you can to see us.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌🤗‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[*** .gif attached] WE care about YOU!!!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🙁‌  DEPRESSION: In this stage, we begin to realize and feel the true extent of the death or loss. Common signs of depression in this stage include trouble sleeping, poor appetite, fatigue, lack of energy, and crying spells. We may also have self-pity and feel lonely, isolated, empty, lost, and anxious.

*** Maybe talking to a professional may help. But family and friends are okay too.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

😤‌   ANGER: A necessary stage, where pain RESURFACES, sometimes directed at doctors, family, or the deceased.

*** WE ALL have our "moments" = NEVER feel you are a bad person when you do!!! Try to "talk" about this with people who "understand & donot judge". With TIME, you will find PEACE.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👣‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌   Creating a NEW LIFE AFTER A LOSS is not easy, but we will ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Sometimes in life WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACKWARD.

Why?

WE may have thought we had a SOLUTION to an "issue" only to find it IT WAS NOT A FIT.

It is okay. You got out there dear friend(s) INSTEAD OF STAYING IN BED sleeping your life away.

It is OKAY to "step backwards" to REGROUP & TRY AGAIN when you are ready.

Luv,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Grief Forum)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

💡   Find healthy DISTRACTIONS: Engage in activities like reading, listening to music, volunteering, or light exercise.

*** WE "deserve" moments of peace and relaxation on OUR Healing Journey!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📌   It CHANGES You: Grief may alter your perspective on life, priorities, and beliefs.

*** Sometimes it "reminds" us to make time for the people we CARE about TODAY. Tomorrow is NOT "promised" to any of us.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌‌♻️‌‌‌‌‌‌   ARE YOU NEW TO OUR FORUM [Grief & Loss]? ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[1] You can either create a NEW POST or JOIN another post created by another member to share YOUR JOURNEY.

[2] IF you need help with anything on THIS SITE, you can "reply" to this post or send me a PM (AARP Private Message).

[3] WE have ALL been "new" at some point & this site can be a "challenge" to use.

Grief & Loss Team ‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌ ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[*** .gif attached] Just in case YOU need one, WE are sending one YOUR way 🤗💛

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌🪔   Key Grief SUPPORT Resources & Services!

[1] Support GROUPS: Offers nationwide support groups. Local funeral homes and churches also provide community groups.

[2] Counseling & Therapy: Licensed professionals provide specialized grief counseling to help process emotions.

[3] HOSPICE Bereavement Services: Provide free, up to one-year follow-up support for families, including phone calls and counseling.

[4] ONLINE/National Resources: Offer educational resources and coping strategies.

[5] Support for CHILDREN: There are organizations who specialize in helping children and teens.

[6] IMMEDIATE Crisis Support: If you are in crisis, call or text your local Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

*** IF one does NOT work for you, "try" another one. NEVER give up on finding a fit.  ‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📍  Practice SELF-CARE: Maintain routines, eat well, and try to get regular sleep.

*** Self care is NOT being selfish. It is about "surviving" the best you can while grieving. ‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌‌📍‌‌  Offer to HELP!

NOT everyone feels comfortable asking for help, even when they need it. Pay attention to ways you can assist and volunteer to help.

(1) Can you drive the kids to school?

(2) Help with the laundry?

(3) Cook or provide grocery gift cards to help keep everyone fed?

*** Just ask them what "help" they need!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

♻️   Because you are GRIEVING you may "feel" unable to "reply" to (support) ANOTHER GRIEVER here in the AARP Grief & Loss Forum.

But doing so (replying) has helped ALL of OUR GROUP members "feel" more in control of THEIR GRIEF.

Why?

Maybe because being a GRIEVER themselves = they know what TO SAY = comforting someone else "fills" THEIR INSIDES with "feeling" they have HELPED someone.

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by when you can.

Grief & Loss Team 🤗

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[*** Attachment] Sending a HUG your way my friend 🤗💛

[SummerOnTheWay1]

❌️   Myth:

Grieving should last about a YEAR.

✅️   Fact:

There is NO specific time frame for grieving. How long it takes DIFFERS from person to person.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📌     There will be GOOD & BAD days. You may feel guilty or surprised for laughing at a joke or enjoying a visit with a friend. It is important to understand that these can be common feelings.

*** OUR "emotions" are a part of OUR journey moving forward.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

🪔   Choose!

Making intentional choices during grief allows YOU to navigate YOUR emotions and regain a sense of CONTROL over YOUR life. This might mean choosing to engage in activities that promote YOUR well-being or deciding to take a step back from certain social engagements that feel overwhelming.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📸[*** .gif attached] WE care about YOU!!!

[SummerOnTheWay1]

‌♻️‌   "Online" WELLNESS CHECKS!!!

[1] WE check on Group Members monthly (1st).

[2] WE do "understand" that there are days or nights WE donot feel like "chatting". That is part of OUR JOURNEY to "creating" a life without the person WE lost. ‌😭‌

[3] That is OKAY. Stop by when you do. OUR WELCOME MAT IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE OUR DOOR.

Grief & Loss Team ‌🤗‌