Facing a New Year when you Grief – 6 Mindful Tips
While other people may make resolutions for the new year, a new year without a loved one can create painful challenges. A broken heart can make it difficult to live each day when our hearts and soul are grieving, and it can be scary to think of a whole new year ahead of us. Leaving the previous year behind can leave us feeling empty and lonely, making us wonder what the new year will bring and whether we will be able to face any more pain.
Some days are just too painful to wake up, not knowing what we’ll do with the day, let alone what we’ll do with a whole new year. Burdened by grief, we may fear that the new year will be no different. Our heart and soul yearns for the person we’ve lost and the precious memories we shared together. We remember how things were and wish we could go back in time, worried we may lose the special memories over time.
For different grievers, the approach of a new year may mean different things. Whether we look forwards to, dread, or ignore a new year is likely to be determined by where we are in the grieving process. The question isn’t whether grief will appear but how we will deal with it.
As you find the strength to courageously walk through your grief day by day, I hope you will find the strength to look forward to the New Year and may even feel a sense of wonder about what it might bring.
Be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to grieve the way you feel is best for you. And if you like, read some of the ideas others shared with me to face the New Year.
- Don’t compare your grief journey to others or feel that you should be grieving differently. Each grief journey is different; you are exactly where you need to be. Give yourself permission to grief the way you want to
- Surround yourself with people who understand and support you during your grief and who will allow you to stay true to yourself and your emotions no matter what.
- Allow your heart and soul to heal, one day at a time, by being kind and gentle with yourself.
- Rest, do nothing, stay busy, pick up a new hobby, read a book or travel. Whatever it is, give yourself permission to go through the motions if you believe it will help you if you feel it will help you through the grieving process.
- Start a journal, make a list of favourite memories you and your loved one have shared, or write a letter to your lost loved one who is now on the other side.
- Join a support group, offline or online or talk with friends and family members who can list and share memories.
