The Quiet Weight of Loneliness & Grief

​The quiet after my husband suddenly passed away was deafening. What was a house full of love and joy was a mere shell of itself. Then came the loneliness and the longing for companionship. I missed having him next to me when I woke up or by my side to share a meal. I missed the impulse of life – waking up on a Saturday and letting the plans of the day unfold. When you spend a lifetime with one person and that is suddenly ripped away from you in an instant, life becomes very confusing and disorienting.

While it may seem obvious to people looking into grief from that outside that widows would miss their person after they pass, it’s hard to explain the deep loneliness we feel. It goes beyond missing our person. It becomes an all-encompassing presence, a silent shadow that linger long after the world believes grief should be “over”. The emotional impact of grief comes in waves, but loneliness often feels constant.

So why does loneliness hit so hard when our spouse or life partner dies? It’s because it’s not just their absence we mourn, but also the loss of shared routines, conversations, and plans for the future. We miss their laugh, their advice and even the everyday mundane moments a couple shares together. Loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone; it’s about the emotional void left behind.

Loneliness can also be amplified for a widow by additional changes and challenges we face after our spouse dies, for example:

• Social circles can change: Friends may not know how to support us or feel uncomfortable in our grief.
• A shift in identity: Widows have to reconcile that we are no longer part of a couple, which can feel isolating in a couple-based society.
• New roles and responsibilities: We are forced to take on tasks previously handled by our spouse and that can feel isolating and overwhelming.
  
  

Loneliness can also impact mental and physical health. Studies show that chronic loneliness can lead to increased stress, depression, and even a weakened immune system. This can manifest as:

• Trouble sleeping or eating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased anxiety or feeling of hopelessness
  
  

So, how do we manage the loneliness? Here are some things I did to move through it:

1. Acknowledged my feelings and gave myself grace: allowing myself to acknowledge I was struggling and not beating myself up for how I was feeling was an important first step.
2. Sought out connection: I actively reached out to friends and family to discuss how I was feeling and to make plans to not be alone. I also joined a grief group, which allowed me the space to share my emotions without judgement – they all understood my journey.
3. Embraced activities I enjoyed: I reconnected with things that brought me peace and joy like hiking with my dogs, skiing, cooking, etc.
4. Seeking professional help: I sought the guidance of a mental health professional to gain tools and strategies to navigate my emotions.
5. Finding solace in the memories: I found ways to remember and honor my late husband and that helped me feel more connected to him even though he was physically not present.
   
   

It’s important to remember that you are not alone or forgotten, even in the dark times. There is a community of other widows, friends, family and professionals who can empathize with your journey and want to support you. Reaching out to others, even when it feels uncomfortable, is a courageous act of self-care.
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If you are feeling lonely and unsure where to turn, I encourage you to reach out for guidance. I’d be honored to help you navigate this chapter and help you move forward in your journey towards healing.