There is no easy way to part ways with those we love. Grief is a natural response to loss. But grief feels infinite times worse when you lose someone to suicide. You experience all sorts of unexpected and difficult emotions, from guilt to anger, shock to profound sadness.
In this blog post, we will suggest a few tips on overcoming the pain after losing your loved one to suicide.
Don’t Put Time Limits
One of the most common questions that people ask themselves while going through pain is ‘when is it going to be over’ or ‘when will things go back to normal?’ Unfortunately, there is no way to know when you will start to feel normal again. It is essential to acknowledge the inherent uncertainty instead of putting artificial deadlines on when you will feel better. Fighting against it will only backfire and make it worse.
Don’t Compare
It is natural to compare and contrast your grief to others. But what you are experiencing may not be the same for someone else, even if they have lost someone to suicide as well. The more you compare, the worse it could get for you. It is best to seek help, offer advice, and share your pain with others instead of comparing it.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
You should be around friends or family members who also accept your grief and want you to heal. You can join a support group or be a part of a community instead of isolating yourself or hiding your sadness. This can lead to increased pain and sadness.
Understand the Stages
People go through various stages of grief after losing someone to suicide. The first stage is denial, where you don’t want to accept the reality of the situation. The second stage is anger. The third stage is negotiation, where you try to make peace with the situation. The fourth stage is depression, and finally, the last stage is acceptance, where you can finally learn to move on.
Allow Yourself to Feel the Pain
Some people stay stuck in the phase of grief because they don’t let their emotions flow freely. Suppressing your feelings and emotions will not help you overcome the pain but merely make it worse. Allow yourself to feel the pain, embrace it, cry through it, and learn to accept it. You will eventually find peace.
Conclusion
Wherever there is loss and attachment, there is the pull of grief. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. It turns into emotional suffering and pain you feel when someone you love is taken away. But by channeling your pain effectively and not letting it affect other surviving members around, you can learn to accept the situation and move on. Try to remember all of the good memories you have had with your loved one and use those memories to find inner peace.