
Things We Should Never Do After Losing A Loved One
Never Isolate Yourself - Even If You Feel Like It's The Right Thing To Do!
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Suppressing Your Emotions Will Only Make Things Worse In The Long Run
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Ignoring Self-Care Will Only Make Matters Worse
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Rushing Through Grief - Everyone's Timeline Is Different!
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Bottling Up Regrets - Talking = Healing!
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Never Turn To Substances - There Are Better Ways To Cope
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Making Major Decisions - You Won't Be In The Right Headspace!
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Neglecting Responsibilities - Unfortunately, Life Goes On!
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Comparing Your Grief To Others - Everyone Heals At A Different Pace
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Don't Suppress The Memories With Your Loved One!
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Neglecting Legal Matters Will Make You Feel Worse
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Isolating The Children In The Family - They Will Find It Tough If They Have Never Navigated Grief Before!
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Avoiding Support Groups - They Will Help You See That You're Not Alone!
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Rejecting Help - Don't Do This Alone!
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Neglecting Your Health - Focus On YOU!
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Suppressing Your Anger - Find Healthy Methods!
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Blaming Yourself - This Is NEVER Your Fault!
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Dwelling On "What Ifs" - It Won't Get You Anywhere
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Avoiding Professional Help - They Know What They're Doing!
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Overloading Yourself - You've Got Enough On Your Plate!
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Avoiding Nature - It's Good For The Soul...
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Suppressing Laughter - It's OK To Be Happy!
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Never Neglect Your Hobbies!
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Clinging On To Possessions - It's Healthy To Let Go!
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Avoiding Anniversaries - Celebrate Your Loved Ones!
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Neglecting Relationships - A Problem Shared Is A Problem Halved!
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Ignoring Financial Planning - The World Doesn't Stop Turning!
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Suppressing Forgiveness Will Stop You From Moving Forward!
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Avoiding Memory Projects - Make The Bad Things Positive!
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Suppressing Hope That Things Will Get Better Will Stop You Moving Forward!
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Over-Committing Yourself - Stop Doing This And Take It Easy!

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Grieving requires emotional energy, and overcommitting to responsibilities or obligations can lead to burnout. It's essential to set realistic boundaries and communicate your limitations to others to avoid feeling overwhelmed. You don't want to add to your stress.Advertisement
Pretending Everything Is Normal, Even When It's Not!

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Grieving can be a unique and challenging process, and pretending everything is normal may delay the necessary acknowledgment of loss. Accepting and expressing grief openly is a healthier way to cope and allows for the natural healing process to unfold.Advertisement
Ignoring Traditions And Routines That Your Loved One Would Usually Be There For!

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Participating in rituals or traditions associated with your loved one holds symbolic significance and can foster a sense of connection. Continuing traditions may provide a comforting sense of continuity, helping to preserve the memory of your loved one in a meaningful way.Advertisement
Avoiding Artistic Expression - When It's Too Tough To Talk, It Will Help!

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Engaging in creative outlets, such as writing, drawing, or music, provides a non-verbal way to express complex emotions associated with grief. Artistic expression can serve as a form of therapy, helping individuals process their feelings and find a sense of catharsis.Advertisement
Neglecting Acts Of Kindness - You Get Back What You Put In!

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Performing acts of kindness in memory of your loved one is a positive way to channel grief into something meaningful and constructive. Acts of kindness could range from small gestures, like helping someone in need, to larger endeavors, such as participating in charity work or starting a foundation.Advertisement
Why Does This Can Have A Positive Impact?

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Not only does this contribute positively to the community, but it also honors the memory of your loved one through actions that reflect their values. It helps you think about how your loved one would feel, knowing you are turning their death into something meaningful.Advertisement
Suppressing Spiritual Exploration - Even If You're Skeptical!

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If spirituality is already part of your life, exploring and engaging in spiritual practices can offer comfort and solace during times of grief. This may include prayer, meditation, attending religious services, or connecting with a spiritual community.Advertisement
Ignoring Changes In Sleep Patterns - It Could Have A Deeper Meaning!

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Pay attention to changes in sleep patterns, as disruptions may be common during grief. Establishing a consistent sleep routine can contribute to emotional well-being. If sleep disturbances persist, consider seeking guidance from a healthcare professional.Advertisement
Neglecting Physical Activity - It's Good For The Body And The Mind!

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Engaging in regular physical activity helps release endorphins, which can contribute to improved mood and overall well-being. Exercise serves as a healthy outlet for stress and can be an effective means of coping with grief-related tension. Even if you don't feel like exercising, force yourself as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Advertisement
Avoiding Shared Grieving Rituals - You Are Not ALone!

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Engage in shared rituals or experiences with friends and family who are also grieving. This can create a sense of unity and shared understanding. Participating in shared rituals fosters collective healing, allowing individuals to support each other through the grieving journey.Advertisement
Avoiding Laughter And Shared Stories - Find Light In Dark Times!

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Share humorous stories and memories of your loved one with friends and family. Laughter can be a powerful and positive way to celebrate their life. You don't have to feel guilty by taking some time out from your grief to share a funny story or laugh at something. You won't be judged.Advertisement
Suppressing Dreams Or Nightmares - It's Common To See Your Loved One In Your Dreams

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Allow yourself to explore dreams or nightmares related to your loved one. These subconscious experiences may offer insights into your emotions and facilitate processing. It's quite common to dream of someone who has either just passed or left this earth many years ago.Advertisement
Don't Avoid Physical Touch And Comfort

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Allow yourself to receive comforting physical touch, such as hugs or hand-holding, from friends or family. Physical contact can provide a sense of connection and reassurance. If you think that comfort from a friend might make you more emotional, that's fine. You are allowed to be.Advertisement
Avoiding Setting Boundaries With Well Meaning Advice - People Feel Like They're Helping When They Aren't!

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Establish clear boundaries with well-meaning friends or family who may offer advice. Communicate your needs and preferences regarding support to avoid feeling overwhelmed. If you don't mention this to them, they won't realize it all too much for you.Advertisement
Not Putting Your Feelings Into Words - It's Good To Talk!

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Consider keeping a journal to express your thoughts and emotions. Writing can be a therapeutic outlet for processing grief and gaining insights into your feelings. Sometimes it's hard to say how you feel and putting pen to paper can help you live with the grief.Advertisement
Don't Rush Straight Into A New Partnership

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Allow for the grieving process. Grieving is a deeply personal experience, and individuals may progress through its stages at different rates. Giving oneself the necessary time allows for a more authentic and individualized healing process. There really is no rush.Advertisement
Refusing To Accept The Depth Of Your Loss Will Delay Your Healing!

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Taking the time to fully understand and accept the depth of the loss is crucial. This involves grappling with the emotional, psychological, going though your feelings like a rollercoaster then there is the practical aspects of losing your long term or life partner.Advertisement
Not Navigating Complex Emotions - DON'T AVOID THIS!

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Grief is a complex emotional experience. Developing emotional resilience by processing and navigating these emotions prepares an individual for the challenges and joys that come with new relationships. Whilst no one can take the place of your loved one, you deserve happiness.Advertisement
Refusing To Avoid Emotional Damage - It's Going To Be Tough At First, But It's Needed!

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Not Understanding Your Personal Needs

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Taking time for self-reflection allows an individual to understand their own needs and desires in a relationship. This clarity is crucial for setting healthy boundaries and communicating effectively with a potential new partner. The new relationship then has a chance to work out.Advertisement
Don't Avoid Rebound Dynamics

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Rushing into a new relationship may inadvertently lead to rebound dynamics, where decisions are driven more by the need to fill a void than by a genuine connection. You can get swept up in this until the realization hits you that you have run before you could walk.Advertisement
Not Honoring Your Late Partner

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A period of reflection and healing honors the significance of the past relationship. It allows for a respectful acknowledgment of the shared history, memories, and the impact of the deceased partner on one's life. After this time, you can maybe move forward without the guilt.Advertisement
NEVER Comparing Others With Your Loved One - They Can't Be Replaced!

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Rushing into a new relationship might lead to unintentional comparisons between the new partner and the deceased one, potentially impacting the dynamics and expectations of the relationship. In the early stages of grief you probably are not in a position to know what you really want for the future.Advertisement
Involving Yourself In Emotional Dependency - Lean On Others For Support!

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Taking time for personal growth promotes the development of emotional independence. It allows an individual to rediscover and strengthen their self-identity, preventing undue reliance on a new partner for emotional support. Give yourself space until you feel it's the right time.Advertisement
Don't Lose Your Identity

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Grieving often involves a rediscovery of one's identity outside the context of the previous relationship. This period of personal growth contributes to a stronger and more resilient individual. No one said it was easy but, over time, you should be in a better head space.Advertisement
Not Clarifying Your Priorities - Always Tell People What You Need!

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The time spent on personal growth helps clarify personal values, goals, and priorities, laying the groundwork for a more compatible and fulfilling future relationship. There should then be a healthier balance of dynamics between you and a possible new partner.Advertisement
Not Learning From The Past - Reflect And Grow!

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Reflecting on the past relationship provides valuable insights into what worked, what didn't, and any unresolved issues. This self-awareness is crucial for making informed choices in future relationships. It should help you choose someone who is really compatible.Advertisement
Not Rediscovering Your Strengths!

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Taking the time to rebuild a sense of independence allows an individual to rediscover personal strengths and capabilities that may have been overshadowed during the grieving process. You are still the same person but the death of your loved one has knocked you sideways.Advertisement
Avoiding Emotional Baggage - Be Open And Honest!

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Unresolved grief may manifest as emotional baggage in a new relationship, potentially hindering intimacy and connection. By not addressing this issue the chance of a new relationship succeeding is likely to be slim, over before it has only just begun.Advertisement
Not Setting Healthy Foundations

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Effective communication is crucial for setting healthy foundations in a new relationship, ensuring that both partners are on the same page regarding their intentions and the direction of the connection. Keeping quiet and "making do" is not the way forward.Advertisement
Let It Drop You've Received A Big Inheritance

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Disclosing a significant inheritance may attract individuals seeking relationships for financial gain rather than genuine connection. Keeping this information private can help filter out opportunistic individuals. The person may seem genuine but might only have dollar signs in front of their eyes.Advertisement
Suppress Questions About the Future

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Although it is almost too painful to bear, you should allow yourself to contemplate the future without your loved one. While it may be challenging, addressing questions about your own goals, aspirations, and dreams is a part of the healing process. Try and be strong.Advertisement
Keep The Blinds Down During the Day

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From a practical standpoint, allowing natural light into the living space can contribute to a healthier and more pleasant environment. It may positively impact the individual's sleep-wake cycle and overall well-being. As much as you might want to be shut away from the world, it's not good for you.Advertisement
Remove Your Loved One's Belongings Straight Away

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The immediate aftermath of a loss is an emotionally charged time. Clearing out belongings too soon may not allow sufficient time for the grieving process, preventing individuals from addressing and processing their emotions.Advertisement
Don't Lose The Symbolic Presence

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Personal items can serve as a symbolic presence of the departed loved one. Keeping these belongings for some time may provide a sense of comfort and continuity. When you are ready to let go, ask a close family member to help. You may be glad you decided to hold on to certain personal items.Advertisement
How To Help Those WHo Have Lost A Loved One... Respect Their Wishes!

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Understand and respect their preferences regarding the grieving process, rituals, and how they want to remember and honor their loved one. Everyone copes differently, and honoring their wishes is crucial. Contacting them all the time might be too much for them.Advertisement
Express Condolences - It Takes 5 Minutes!
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Offer a heartfelt and genuine expression of sympathy. Use simple and sincere words, such as "I'm so sorry for your loss," to convey your condolences. Even if you feel awkward or you are embarrassed, a few little words can mean the world to that person and they won't forget it.Advertisement
Offer To Help With Children or Pets - It Will Take The Pressure Off

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Offer assistance with childcare or pet care to ease their responsibilities during a challenging time. They may need the help but don't want to ask as they feel they might be a burden. Make a point of telling them that any time suits you which keeps it flexible and doesn't put them under pressure.Advertisement
Respect Their Need For Alone Time - It's Not Personal

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Grieving individuals may need moments of solitude to process their emotions. Respect their need for alone time while letting them know you're available when they're ready to connect. This will make them feel more comfortable when they hopefully reach out to you.Advertisement
Help With Practical Arrangements

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Assist with practical matters, such as organizing meals, coordinating support from friends and family, or helping with funeral arrangements if they need assistance. Helping with meals, especially, is so important as they probably will not feel like cooking or even have an appetite to eat.Advertisement
Offer A Hug - It's That Simple!

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Physical touch can provide comfort and reassurance. Offer a hug or gentle touch if appropriate, letting them know you're there for them. Gauge the situation as the grieving person might feel they will get even more emotional if they receive sympathy. Read the room.Advertisement
Send A Sympathy Card/Gift

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A thoughtful sympathy gift, such as flowers, a memorial candle, or a personalized item, can convey your condolences and provide a tangible expression of support. This allows the bereaved individual to appreciate the item when they are alone and it can give them comfort.Advertisement
Remember Special Dates

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Acknowledge important dates, such as anniversaries or birthdays of the deceased, with a message of support. This demonstrates your ongoing care and understanding. Maybe suggest going for a drink or a meal to celebrate the life of the deceased on that specific date.Advertisement
Listen Compassionately And Only Offer Advice When They've Asked For It

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Be present and attentive when they want to talk. Allow them to share their thoughts and emotions without interruption or judgment. Don't feel that you need to cheer them up or give advice. You are there to support them and to be a listening ear, not a therapist.Advertisement
Provide Resources On Grief

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Share information on grief support resources, counselling services, or local support groups that they may find helpful in their healing journey. They might not want to use the services at that time but may feel able to a little further down the line. Be patient with them.Advertisement
Encourage Self Care

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Remind them to take care of themselves physically and emotionally. Encourage activities that promote well-being, such as exercise, relaxation, and sufficient rest. Ask them if they simply want to go for a walk, away from where they live, so they won't have to come into contact with people they know and feel overwhelmed.Advertisement
Offer To Help With Paperwork

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The aftermath of a loss often involves paperwork and administrative tasks. Offer assistance with tasks like notifying relevant authorities, handling paperwork, or managing legal matters. Even small tasks can feel like climbing a mountain when you are deep in grief.Advertisement
Respect Their Need For Normalcy

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Understand that, amidst grief, some individuals may appreciate moments of normalcy. Invitations to casual outings or activities can provide a welcome distraction. Even if they aren't the life and soul, a temporary escape from their grief can go towards the healing process.Advertisement
Offer Transportation Support

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This can be quite an important one - grieving individuals may find it challenging to handle transportation needs. Offer to drive them to appointments, gatherings, or any place they need to go. They have enough to think about without worrying how they are going to get from A to B.Advertisement
Help Them Create a Memory Jar

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Encourage the bereaved to create a memory jar where they can write down cherished memories or moments with their loved one. This can serve as a tangible and ongoing tribute. There will come a time when they actually look forward to putting memories in the jar.Advertisement