Adjusting to Life After Loss
Is there life after loss?
Loss takes from us that which is most precious and dear. Whether death, divorce, abandonment, or dismemberment, the resulting vacuum can suck the life right out of us. In order to find enjoyment again in life, major adjustments must be made. These include but are not limited to changes in our:
- Traditions
- Relationships
- Routines
- Thought patterns
As we grow in our understanding of these changes, we can expedite the adjustment process, and bring peaceful resolution to the difficulties we are facing. No matter what we do, it will take time, courage, and perseverance. Change is not easy, especially when loss touches that which is most intimate in life.
Adjusting Traditions
Traditions are the stuff of which life is made. They encompass special occasions and daily activities, involving all of our senses in a most pleasant mixture of sights, smells, feelings, and moods. These memorable events that solidify the family unit often revolve around holidays and holy days.
When someone who has been a significant part of our traditions is gone, we feel vulnerable, unsure of how to proceed. The closer the loss is to us, the more dramatic are its affects. We fear that life will never be the same, that we will not experience happiness and joy again because the person who was such a large part of it is no longer with us.
In order to adjust, we have to re-define what these traditions mean to us, and how we can continue them in a way that they bring us joy and happiness. We ask the questions:
- Is it possible to continue the tradition? If so, how?
- Would continuing the tradition bring such painful memories that it is better to let it go?
- Can the tradition be modified in such a way that it is better for all involved?
- Is there another tradition that can take its place?
As we ask ourselves these questions, we bring resolution to the change process more quickly, and move on with our lives. As generations of family members come and go, traditions by nature evolve. The choice is ours, and we need not feel obligated, or even pressured, into continuing something that is no longer valid for our current situation.
Adjusting Relationships
Both birth and death take us from one stage of life to another. We move from our family position as children and siblings to parents as we marry and have children of our own. We move from the parent and aunt/uncle phase to take the position of the older generation as they pass from this life.
Sometimes these adjustments have to be made prematurely, as in the case of the unmarried having children, or of parents passing away before grandparents. At times like these, we still have to make the adjustments in our relationships in order to move past our loss. The table below shows what some of these changes are and how they affect our everyday lives.
Family Position
| Responsibilities
| Future Role
|
---|---|---|
Grandparent
| Support families of children
| Leave a legacy to the younger generation
|
Parent
| Bear and rear children
| Take care of aging parents
|
Oldest child
| Take care of younger siblings
| Replace the parent as head of the family
|
Middle child
| Learn from older siblings' experience
| Keep peace between older and younger siblings
|
Youngest Child
| Be willing to have more than one parent
| Learn independence
|
When someone in our own generation passes away, we often feel a keen sense of vulnerability, knowing that at any time, we could be next. Our natural instinct is to withdraw from others, and bide our time until "our day" comes. This is a great tragedy. It is far better to seek out our loved ones, spend additional time with them, and increase the legacy that we are leaving to them.
The day will come when we may feel very alone, either due to the death of a spouse, or a child in our immediate family. These types of losses bring poignant feelings of isolation. Although it may be painful to go outside of our comfort zone and meet new people, our personal ability to adjust depends on our going through this process. We may have to leave the familiarity of our home and even our community for a time, to find the strength needed to move on.
Life has a way of giving us the time that we need to work through our grief and pain. Taking the opportunity to talk about our loss with our loved ones and others we meet, and allowing ourselves to remember, even though it is painful, all give us additional peace and serenity.
Adjusting Routines
When someone we love dearly leaves us, we may have to change the way we live, especially if we have spent a great deal of time caring for them. This is the case if we have had an aging parent living with us for a number of years, or experience the death of a young child.
The void that is created when our caring is no longer needed may affect our feelings of self-worth. Thoughts of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness lead to depression and anxiety.These are red flags for possible self-harm, and should be taken seriously. Seek immediate medical intervention if this is the case.
The daily routines of sleeping, eating, bathing, dressing, and taking care of oneself need to continue, even though the companions with which we do these things are no longer with us. Family members would do well to stay with a loved one for a time after they experience the death of a spouse or child to ensure that these routines continue. Otherwise, illness may easily set in, and further complications occur.
Life is seen through different eyes after loss. There are sights, smells, and sounds that are no longer part of our lives. We miss them, and the tears flow readily. We notice things we didn't notice before. We may find ourselves wandering around aimlessly, as the person we lost helped to provide us with meaning, purpose, and direction.
It is in times like these, that we have to look back in our lives and find the things that used to bring us joy and happiness. Once we figure out what these things are, we can bring them back into the here and now, and establish new habits, routines, and interests.
Adjusting Thought Patterns
Adjusting our thought patterns is probably the most difficult thing that we have to do after a loss. We often are on "automatic" when we go throughout our daily lives. Only when we are interrupted by the unexpected do we realize that our thoughts are part of our conscious beings. Then we notice that we can't think the same any more.
Loss brings with it many ramifications, including the workings of grief and mourning. The changes in our feelings may be abrupt and happen unexpectedly. We may be happy and smiling one moment, and in the depths of despair the next. The only way to work through these feelings is to adjust what we are thinking about at the time. Each instance brings with it new memories, new issues to resolve, and new decisions to make.
Understanding our thought processes is the first step in changing them. Beliefs are the seeds of our thoughts, and our actions are the plants that grow from them. If we find that we continue on a downward spiral of negativity, we need to check for distorted thinking patterns. No one is immune from having these types of issues, especially when suffering after a loss.
Our ability to turn to our Maker for comfort will also expedite adjustment. When we look to the heavens for strength, guidance, and peace, we are filled with wonder and awe at the great plan of mercy that rains upon us in our time of drought. The living water that bathes our parched souls during these moments renews our faith and hope.
Life can and will be beautiful once again. As we adjust our traditions, relationships, routines, and thought patterns, we find peace and happiness after loss. Start the adjustment process today.
© 2014 Denise W Anderson
Comments
Thank you Denise. I appreciate your support and prayers.
Audrey
I could not handle reading more than this one sad & grief-filled message in one day. This drains & weighs so heavily upon the heart. I'm so sorry for you, for all of us who grieve, that there simply is no magic wand, pill or potion....nothing to grab hold of to ease the pain.
Only time....the moments ticking by, day after day, year after years....even then it's true that healing comes to each of us in different ways at different times....and for some, perhaps never.
I can tell you I know...that I sincerely relate...that I feel your pain...and wish I could make it all disappear. The reality is that you and only you knows your own kind of pain. This is true for each of us.
But know that someone cares. Find comfort however you can.
After 6 years I still tremble with pain, anger and grief for my beautiful son. My grandchildren were left homeless, confused and torn. The mother had abandoned my son and all four children years before their father's death. He died in the arms of his oldest boy, age 11. I wouldn't wish this situation on my worst enemy.
Thank you for your helpful hub Denise.
With gratitude,
Audrey
Your style of writing is so unique, while reading your hubs I always feel that you are speaking to me what you have written.
I am still adjusting to the loss of my parents and it has been over 20 years. It is a good thing to move on with positive mind set and to know that one day I will see them again in heaven.
It is never easy to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. But as they say, Time is the best healer and we human beings have amazing capacity to adjust to changing situations of life. And then we have to accept this as a part of life and move on.
Very nice and thoughtful hub! Thanks!
Loss brings so many emotions and situations that we sometimes never even expect. An important point is that it takes time...don't let anyone rush you or make you feel you have to be "over it" after a certain time has gone by. You need to grieve and adjust on your own schedule. Great article Denise!
Hi denise, yes loss is such a hard thing to get over, I lost my best friend a month ago, my other close friend died three years ago, nightmare! but we do have to move on, and keeping to a routine really does help, nell
The loss of a loved is never easy at the moment of weakness one can feel most helpless but in time it all gets back to life again moving on is the hardest an interesting hub.
You touched on the important issues to be dealt with after loss. One of my friend's mother used to keep setting the table for her daughter who was no longer there. She kept saying that she forgot. Thoughts, routines, traditions all need to be adjusted. Your article is very helpful. Voted Up!
We all face losses in our lives, and it is never easy, whether it is death, divorce or a friend moving to another country. For example, the death of a loved one, produces deep emotional reactions to the loss. But a healthy support system is important to help the person cope, and adjust to the loss.
Thanks for sharing on this important issue of loss, Denise.
It is never easy, is it my friend? But we learn, and we move on, and we always have the memories. Awesome message here, Denise.
23