6 Ways to Set New Goals After Losing a Loved One
Losing a loved one is never easy. Finding your way back to a new normal can take time, even when we wish it would happen more quickly. If you are in that painful time where you’re trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of your life and find joy again, be assured that the grief will lessen and your life will continue. Here, Amazed Times shares a few strategies you can implement to help you find your grounding in this difficult time.
1. Prioritize Your Sleep Schedule
When you’re grieving, you might find yourself tossing and turning each night, unable to catch a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. This is the perfect time to turn your bedroom into a cozy sanctuary where you can truly relax and unwind each night.
Refreshing this space with new bedding and switching up your decor can give it a new feel that can help you to find comfort, especially if you shared this space with your recently lost loved one. Let it provide a fresh start that will also help you get the sleep you need.
2. Move Your Body
Grief can slow you down. You might feel like you don’t have the energy to exercise or the motivation to go to the gym. But even if you can’t focus on working out consistently right now, you can still sneak a little more physical activity into your day-to-day routines.
For example, you could run errands on foot, walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or take regular walks during your lunch breaks. You can even purchase a few resistance bands and do some simple workouts in the privacy of your own home.
3. Consider Your Career Goals
Sometimes, a devastating loss can leave you rethinking every aspect of your life – including your career. Maybe you’ve spent years working at a job you don’t love, and now, you’re thinking about taking a risk, embracing your passion, and pursuing entrepreneurship.
If you plan to start a business, you’ll need to promote your offerings through different marketing methods. Leveraging social media and email marketing can work, but a business card leaves a positive visible impression that will last longer than digital materials. You don’t have to be artistic to design a custom business card – just start by choosing a premade template, then add your preferred text and fonts, color scheme, images, and logo.
4. Spend More Time Outside
Do you feel like you’ve been cooped up indoors most days since saying goodbye to your loved one? Heading outside and getting some fresh air can work wonders for your mood. GoMacro states that spending time in nature can actually improve your working memory and ability to focus while helping you avoid ruminating on negative thoughts.
This is the perfect time to pick up a hobby like hiking or take a weekend trip to the nearest beach or lake. You can also choose to start a garden at home. Both indoor and outdoor plants bring the healing power of nature to you, and you don’t need a large space to reap the rewards. If you’re new to gardening, check out some easy to care for plants and follow online guides to test out your green thumb.
5. Find a Way to Honor Your Loved One
It’s important that you find ways to be at peace with your loss. Many people find holding a ceremony or starting something in their honor helps. You could start a scholarship or even establish a nonprofit organization that addresses a passion of theirs or seeks to end the cause of their passing. Nonprofits take a few more steps to establish than a traditional business, but their impact can be substantial. So consider your options before choosing your unique way to honor your loved one.
6. Work With a Therapist
If you’re struggling to set new goals on your own and redefine your vision for your life, you don’t have to tackle the process alone. You may want to start looking for a therapist who specializes in grief counseling. You can turn to them for guidance when you’re feeling lost. Additionally, they may be able to connect you with local grief groups. In groups like these, you can connect with new friends who have been in your shoes.
Be Patient as You Find Your Footing
In the wake of a tragic loss, you might feel hesitant to start focusing on your own goals again. But you don’t have to suppress your grief in order to move forward with your life. With these tips, you can honor your complicated emotions while improving your sleep routine, identifying new career goals, and getting more exercise.
