The death of a spouse is never easy. This unique form of grieving comes with its own set of obstacles, from re-budgeting your finances to learning to live on your own. Here at Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers in Metro Detroit, MI, we have several grief counselors and therapists who specialize in spouse loss. Our professionals can help you understand your feelings, manage your emotions, and get through each stage of grief.
Listed below are some coping tips for grieving spouses that you can use in this difficult time.
Don’t Be Afraid To Mourn
You may feel the need to “stay strong” as a way to honor your late husband or wife. While there is merit in maintaining your composure, it’s also important to let yourself mourn. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed by sadness, anger, remorse, regret, and a slew of other emotions. Give yourself a chance to experience each of those emotions so you can move forward and your mind can fully process what has happened. If you have to put on a strong face for your children or other family members, find time to grieve privately and mourn however you need to.
Don’t Compare Your Grief To Someone Else’s
You may find yourself questioning your emotions and reactions because you aren’t grieving like someone else. Grieving is an individual process, varying greatly from one person to the next. You also have to keep in mind that no one else had a relationship with your spouse like you did. You’re not the mother or the sister of the best friend – you’re the husband or wife. Your situation is different than everyone else’s, and so are the experiences that follow. There is no right and wrong way to grieve. You must find what comforts you the most and work your way through your individual challenges.
Build A Strong Support System
Having a support system is one of the best ways to get through a troubling time in life. Friends, co-workers, family members and counselors can all provide support for you after the loss of a spouse. These are people you can call upon to talk about fond memories, vent about stress, share your mourning, and openly express your feelings. We have a number of professional grief counselors at Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers who would love to work with you.
When building your support system, it’s important to avoid people who are critical of you and the way you grieve. People will say you’re too sad, not sad enough, not sad in the right way, etc. That’s not the support you need. You can express yourself in whatever way feels right to you, and your true support system will stand by your side.