Let’s be real, grief is a thief. It steals joy, energy, and sometimes even the will to get out of bed. If you’ve lost your spouse, you know the crushing silence of an empty house, the awkward stares from well-meaning people, and the Oh no, now what? feeling that sneaks up on you at the grocery store when you automatically reach for their favorite snack.
But hold on. Even when it feels like your world has shattered, life still has a few tricks up its sleeve. There are things, yes, actual things, to look forward to. You may not believe me yet, but stick around. By the time you finish this, you’ll have at least one reason to take a deep breath and say, “Okay, maybe life isn’t over just yet.”
1. Freedom to Rediscover Yourself
You spent years (maybe decades) being a part of a duo. Now, it’s time to figure out who you are outside of that. Want to take a spontaneous trip? Eat cereal for dinner? Dye your hair purple? Guess what, you can. Your life, your rules.
2. Newfound Strength You Didn’t Know You Had
You may feel weak, but trust me, you are stronger than you think. You’ve survived one of life’s hardest hits. That means you can handle just about anything now. You’ve become the kind of warrior people write books about. (Seriously, consider writing one.)
3. The Joy of Making Decisions Without Compromise
No more arguing over what to watch on Netflix or which restaurant to eat at. Want to binge a ridiculous reality show? No one’s rolling their eyes at you. Finally, sweet, sweet control over the remote, enjoy it.
4. New (and Sometimes Hilarious) Social Adventures
People will try to set you up. Friends will say, “I know someone!” and introduce you to their single uncle or an eccentric poet who lives in a cabin. Will it be awkward? Probably. Will it make for a great story later? Absolutely.
5. Reconnecting with Old (and New) Friendships
When you’re married, sometimes friendships take a backseat. But now? You have time to rekindle old relationships and make new ones. Join a club, take a class, or just text that friend you haven’t talked to in years. People want to be there for you, let them.
6. The Simple Pleasure of Sleeping in the Whole Bed
Ah, the joy of not having to share covers. No snoring, no middle-of-the-night elbow jabs. Just you, your pillows, and endless possibilities for starfish-style sleeping. It’s a small win, but hey, wins are wins.
7. A Chance to Build a Life That’s 100% Yours
This is your time to design the life you want. Always wanted to live by the beach? Move. Dreamed of learning a new skill? Do it. You have permission to be completely, unapologetically selfish in building the life you love.
8. Finding Happiness Again, And Yes, It’s Possible
Right now, you might think happiness is a thing of the past. It’s not. It’s just waiting for you to find it in new places. It won’t be the same happiness you had before, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be real and beautiful in its own way.
Final Thoughts: So, What’s Next?
Life after loss is like learning to walk again. It’s wobbly, painful, and sometimes you’ll fall flat on your face. But step by step, you will move forward. So tell me, what’s one thing you’re looking forward to, even if it’s tiny? Drop a comment below and let’s start this journey together.