The Healing Journey

July 14, 2023

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
– Nelson Mandela

Decisions. Decisions. One of the smartest decisions that you can make when you are grieving is not to make any major decisions, and certainly not to make them hastily. You can become overwhelmed by the number of decisions you have to make because of the changes you are confronting on your healing journey.

Change is inevitable after loss, but a slow cautious approach is the best way to deal with your uncertain future. Instead of making major decisions, take time to heal because too much change will only distract you from the most important thing you have to do, which is grieve. You see, grieving is necessary. You can’t avoid it, and you shouldn’t try to run from it or get yourself so distracted that you don’t do what is necessary. Making hasty decisions about your future is not going to “cure” your grief.

There’s always the temptation to undertake too much during the first year of your healing journey. You may feel compelled to move, to change your finances, to start dating and, yes, to remarry.

Men often rush into new relationships after a loss, while women depend more on their circle of friends for support, and are willing to wait before becoming emotionally attached.

All of us have emotional needs after suffering a loss, and the prospect of facing life alone can be daunting; however, entering into a relationship will not solve your problems or eliminate your grief.

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Be cautious. Go slow. Don’t rush into anything too soon. But don’t be afraid of changes.