Grief is a difficult emotion to feel and a difficult experience to go through. It feels like there's not much you can do about it. But this article shows you ways to work through the grieving process without feeling so out of control.
We all live with loss in some way or another, and we all have to come to terms with it at some point. Grief manifests itself in unique, unexplainable waves. Below are suggestions from Vilomah Voice on how to survive grief, loss, and sadness.
Get Creative
One way to combat depression is to get creative. Whether it’s painting, woodworking, drawing, writing, or anything else that exercises your creativity, just getting those juices flowing can mitigate your sadness and grief. Creativity also has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in people who are feeling down. These healing strategies provide a brief “shift in perspective," which can be helpful when taking
care of routine tasks and can break a cycle of dark thoughts. For Vilomah Voice creator, Sharon Delaney McCloud, she leans into making things with her hands. From the fairy garden dedicated to her late daughter that she tends to every spring as seen in this blog post, to the oyster shells Sharon makes in her daughter's room, they shift her perspective and allow her to focus on honoring her daughter's memory.
There are tons of ideas for what you can do creatively if you’re feeling down. Don’t forget that there are plenty of apps out there that can help you along the way. Before getting started, take steps to reduce stress at home such as decluttering, cleaning, and adding some indoor plants.
Adopt from Your Local Animal Shelter
Another option to get out of a low mood is to spend quality time with animals. Animals have a way of reminding us that life is more than just work, school, and the daily grind. They can provide a refreshing distraction from all of life’s problems, including grief. Just spending a few minutes playing with a dog or cat can help lower your blood pressure and increase levels of serotonin in your brain. So consider visiting your local animal shelter and adopting a new pet.
Reading
Think about reading something by one of your favorite authors. Even if you just read a few pages, it can help. It doesn’t need to be an in-depth novel that takes up all of your time. Reading can remind you how much you enjoy changing the narrative in your head. And when you find yourself reading more, it can provide some relief from depression.
Find a More Rewarding Career
If your current career has you stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed, it’s time to start exploring alternatives. This could include following a passion of yours or going back to school to learn new skills in a relevant field. When you’re ready to look for work, you’ll want to update your resume to showcase your experience, skills, and accomplishments. You can create an attractive and unique resume by using a free resume template that you can edit. There’s something freeing and liberating about being your own boss. What’s more, the satisfaction and peace that you get from running your own company can help you during times of grief and depression. Sharon left her career as a television journalist after her daughter passed. She took a risk and started her own company that provided the flexibility she needed to flex through bouts of depression and grief. An LLC can be a good option for you if your dream is to own your own business. This entity offers many benefits, including tax advantages, more flexibility, less paperwork to worry about, and protection of your personal assets. Please note that each state has its laws on LLCs. So be sure to check the rules where you live to ensure compliance with LLC laws. While a part of life, experiencing loss is a process that will take time to work through. Use some of the tips above to begin healing.
Author
Lucy Rosetti, The Bereaved
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