As a young military widowed mom, life can seem overwhelming and complex. We experience tremendous loss, immense change, and extreme emotions- all at once. However, with time, patience, and a positive attitude, we can get through the toughest times. This little tidbit of information, one day at a time, was the most valuable thing I ever received on my widowhood journey. So how do you take your new journey as a young military widowed mom one day at a time? Let me share some tips and tricks with you.
- Build Your Support System: Grieving and coping with the loss alone can be incredibly overwhelming. Reach out to your family, friends, or even a support group who can offer you emotional help and guidance. On your tough days, remember your support system is always there to lift you up.
- Set Small Goals: After the loss of your loved one, you may feel like being productive is impossible. That’s okay. Take small steps that feel doable and move on to the next goal. Maybe the goal can be something as simple as getting dressed and going for a walk. These small goals can help provide a sense of purpose and direction.
- Take Care of Yourself: It’s important to take care of yourself on this journey. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. Self-care practices like yoga, meditation, and journaling may also help you to relax and cope with grief.
- Find New Hobbies/Interests: Losing your loved one means finding new ways to navigate life without them. Finding new hobbies and interests that can make you feel happy and excited can help fill a void that losing someone close has created. Using this time to explore new activities can be cathartic and healing.
- Embrace the Journey: Give yourself time to heal and grieve, even though it may be difficult. Every moment in your journey is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself, making you stronger in the process. It is important to remember that all of these things take time and that the little steps you take each day, help in unremarkable ways.
As a young military widowed mom, taking your new journey one day at a time is not always the easiest thing to do, but it is imperative for your mental and emotional well-being. Building the right support system, setting small achievable goals, taking care of yourself, finding new interests, and embracing the journey can all help you get through your grief and lead you on the path of self-healing. Remember, you are not alone, and taking each day as it comes is a reminder that with each passing day you are one step closer to healing.