Whether you have recently suffered the loss of a spouse or have been a widow for years, seasons can be dotted with peaks and valleys of grief. One of those holidays could be Valentine’s Day.
If you are a widow or widower, here are seven ways you can better deal with your loss during this season of love.
Prepare for and Avoid Valentine’s Day “Triggers”
Valentine’s Day and the weeks leading up to it can be loaded with triggers that can bring up raw emotions. The stores are filled with merchandise. There will be advertisements promoting everything from flowers to jewelry. Restaurants will be packed with couples.
You can avoid some of these triggers by shopping online, avoiding dining out in mid-February, and even limiting exposure to social media. Prepare yourself for potential emotions you may experience when exposed to these triggers.
Celebrate Your Love in a New Way
This can include visiting their gravesite, writing in a journal, or sharing memories with friends and family. You may find comfort in donating time or money to a favorite cause in their honor. Perhaps there is a special place that you shared that can be revisited. Think of new ways to celebrate your love.
Shift Your Focus to Friendships
Change the focus of Valentine’s Day from romance to friendship. Arrange a brunch with friends. This can be a great time to celebrate friendships that are important to you.
Indulge Yourself
Make a gourmet meal for yourself or treat yourself with a new dress or piece of jewelry. Visit someplace you’ve always wanted to go. Don’t judge yourself and treat yourself with grace and kindness.
Give Yourself Permission to Grieve
Grief and emotions around the holidays are natural. Allow yourself the opportunity to watch a sad movie and cry. It is natural to miss someone you love.
Redefine the Day
Rather than focusing on your relationship with the deceased, widen the meaning of Valentine’s Day to be a celebration of love and appreciation. This can include family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even pets. Take time to recognize those who care about you and that you care about.
Seek Out Support
If you find yourself struggling through holidays like Valentine’s Day, seek out and reach out for help. There are local support groups, online groups, and forums that can help. There may even be organized events that can minimize your grief. Don’t be embarrassed to reach out to family or a close friend.
We Would Be Honored to Serve You
At Fares J. Radel Funeral Homes and Crematory, we have made it our mission to help families in Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area manage their grief and provide respectful, meaningful final services.
We are pleased to offer several convent locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, and we own and operate Greater Cincinnati’s only privately-owned crematorium. If you have questions or would like assistance in pre-planning, we invite you to reach out to us.
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