Love & Grief: Honoring Lost Loved Ones While Healing Yourself
Grieving is a unique journey for each individual, but one thing remains common—it tends to make us forget ourselves. It’s easy to become lost in sorrow and memories, forgetting to honor not just the person you’ve lost, but also the person who remains: you. This article aims to guide you on how to balance the act of mourning with the equally important act of self-love.
The Importance of Self-Love During Grief
Grieving can be an all-consuming process, but it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s necessary. By practicing self-love, you can better navigate the complex emotions that accompany the loss and eventually find a meaningful way to honor your loved one’s life.
Honoring Your Loved One While Practicing Self-Love
1. Tell Their Stories
Celebrate the life of the person you’ve lost by sharing stories and memories.
- Create a digital tribute or a scrapbook that compiles these memories.
2. Live Out Their Values
Was your loved one passionate about a particular cause? Make it a part of your life.
- Volunteer or make a donation in their name.
3. Create a Ritual
This could be as simple as playing their favorite song every morning or cooking their favorite dish on their birthday.
- Include family and friends in this ritual, making it a collective act of remembering.
4. Say Their Name
It can be comforting to simply say their name aloud, acknowledging their existence and importance in your life.
- Say their name while looking at photos or other mementos. This can become a comforting ritual.
The journey through grief is fraught with ups and downs, but it’s crucial to remember that love for yourself is also a form of honor to the loved one you’ve lost. They would want you to be strong, happy, and fulfilled, and the best way to truly honor them is to live a life they would be proud of—a life that includes self-love, compassion, and care.