 Image via UnsplashA New Home and a Fresh Start Amid Grief It goes without saying that losing a spouse or partner turns your life upside-down. But one thing that doesn't change is your physical surroundings. The route you once walked to the corner store, the kitchen where they cooked your favorite meals, the herb garden you planted together — they're all still there. The same environment that once felt like home can feel disorienting without your partner. If you and your partner lived in the same house for a long time, reminders of the loss can feel ever-present in your space. While some memories of your loved one can bring comfort, constant or intrusive thoughts can take a toll on your mental health. It's okay to consider leaving the home you once shared. In fact, doing so can be an act of self-care. Of course, relocating doesn't eliminate feelings of grief completely, but it may be the fresh start you need to eventually arrive at a "new normal" in your life. Choosing a New Neighborhood You don't have to travel a long distance to experience a completely different neighborhood. You might want to live in the bustle of a city or in the tranquility of the countryside. You may find that you have more flexibility to move closer to work or family now. Rather than frequenting the same local haunts you used to visit with your loved one, you have the chance to find new places to make yourself a "regular." Remember, you can always venture back to your old neighborhood for a visit when the mood strikes. Packing Up Be gentle with yourself. Moving allows you to begin sorting through your loved one's belongings. Maybe you can discard some non-sentimental items as you're decluttering your own possessions for the move. It might be a good time to donate most of their clothing and shoes if you haven't done so already. When it comes to sentimental items, pack them up, and don't force yourself to make any decisions right now. You can store the boxes at your new place and revisit the items inside whenever you're ready. Getting Ready to Sell Moving is always a stressful experience, even when you're not dealing with grief. Make sure to get extra support from friends, family, and professionals. Even if you're usually the do-it-yourself type, consider hiring pros to get your home market-ready. They can quickly address any glaring maintenance issues, such as damaged plumbing, a finicky heating system, cracked windows, or chipped paint. Hiring a house cleaning service to deep-clean your home for real estate photos can be more affordable than you might think. These investments pay off when you place your house on the market. Buying a Home When you're ready to buy a new home, there are a few key steps you'll need to take in order to ensure things go smoothly. First, it's important to get your finances in order. This means creating a budget and saving up for a down payment. You'll also need to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Once you've done all of this, you can start the search for your new home. When you find the right one, be sure to have a professional home inspector take a look before making an offer. Once everything is finalized, you can move in and start enjoying your new home! Once you’ve purchased a home, it’s time to purchase home insurance and consider a home warranty. Are home warranties really worth it? If you’re in a new home with all-new appliances, you could pass on a home warranty. But if the home inspection revealed some issues, it may be wise to purchase a policy. Losing a spouse or partner will require a lengthy healing process. Use the tips above to find a new home and get a fresh start. If you need help processing your feelings of grief, reach out to My Grief Connection to find hope and support. Thank you to our guest blogger Catherine Workman!
Catherine loves seeing the world and believes travel contributes to our overall wellness. She believes we should all leave our comfort zones once in a while and uses travel to boost her physical and mental health. Ms. Workman is part of a great team at Wellness Voyager and enjoys sharing her thoughts on travel and wellness.
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4/26/2022 FREE Virtual Global Grief Conference: Creative Ways to Find Your Grief Support CommunityRead Now FREE Virtual Global Grief Conference: Creative Ways to Find Your Grief Support Community
All are invited to attend the FREE Virtual Global Grief Conference from April 29th-May 2nd. This unique event will feature grief experts, podcasters, and guest speakers from across the world for workshops and presentations on topics including support for grieving children, pregnancy/infant loss, loss of a spouse/partner, physical effects of grieving, loss of a child, suicide loss, healing from trauma, therapeutic art, how mental health is affected by grief, and much more! My Grief Connection founder, Sara Cobb, is thrilled to be included in a lineup of inspirational speakers and workshop presenters at the Virtual Global Grief Conference. She'll be presenting a session on, "Creative Ways to Find Your Grief Support Community," on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 11:00 PM MST. Sincere appreciation goes out to Tony Lynch and Deborah Dee Bird, and all the organizers, for including MGC in what will no doubt be an extremely impactful conference. This event will be interpreted in Spanish. Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/globalgriefconference  FREE Virtual Global Grief Conference
SAVE THE DATE & MARK YOUR CALENDARS! April 29 - May 2, 2022 Worldwide Trained Grief Coaches Helping our Communities Co-Hosted by Dee Bird of Unplug Grief Ministries & Tony Lynch of Memories of Us What: Virtual Global Grief Conference When: April 29-May 2, 2022, 8am ET (7am CT, 6am MT, 5am PT) Begins & ends within 72 hour period....3-full days! Who: Anyone interested in or looking for support in grief Why: Find community, resources, growth, healing in the human experience that is Grief Details: This will be a free conference with presentations and workshops from grief leaders and speakers from around the world. For 72 hours straight we will be offering our best tips and tools from our trade skills and from our personal experiences with grief. Sara Cobb, My Grief Connection Founder, will be offering a presentation on Saturday, April 30th at 10:00 PM PT/11:00 PM MT. Join us by reserving your seat today at: Reimagine or Facebook ***Please note that at the registration, it is also asking for a donation. This is NOT Global Grief Conference asking for it. It is Reimagine who is sponsoring our event and they are a 501-3 non-profit. It is optional, not mandatory; but it is a gift of love..*** The event will be LIVE streamed to the following locations: StreamYard YouTube Facebook 2/10/2022 Conscious Grief Series 2 - Interview with My Grief Connection Founder, Sara Cobb - replayRead NowConscious Grief Series 2 - Interview with My Grief Connection Founder, Sara Cobb
Sara Cobb, shares about her experiences of sibling loss, losing loved ones to murder-suicide, why she founded My Grief Connection, and some of her ideas about what it means to grieve consciously in this replay of her interview in the Conscious Grief Series 2 with host Tara Nash. Please share with anyone you know that may benefit! https://youtu.be/VbiSebIR3PI How to Handle COVID-Related |
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