Can Grievers Take a “Grief-cation”?
4 Minute Read
It’s common for grievers to want to “escape” and get away.
Vacations are for everyone! Grievers, included.
In my grief counseling practice, my clients often express the concern that if they go on vacation after a loved one dies, others might think that they are not grieving their loved one, since they are escaping to somewhere enjoyable.
If you’re grieving, your first thought might be:
How can I possibly even think of going away while I’m mourning the loss of a loved one?
Do these thoughts match your thoughts?
Why would I want to be sad somewhere else?
How could I possibly have a good time?
What would people think of me if I escape my home and mourn my loss somewhere else?
Does having fun mean I don’t miss my loved one?
My recommendation: Change those thoughts!
Vacations are not experiences only for the “happy” people.
They are for ANYONE who would benefit from a new experience, a change of scenery and some rest and pampering.
In fact, a vacation may be just what you need – to take a mini- break from grief that may be consuming you.
Photo by Natalya Zaritskaya on Unsplash
Here’s how GRIEVING and VACATIONING can go hand in hand:
Change Your Surrounding
It’s okay to grieve in different surroundings. Changing your environment can lift your mood, can refresh you, and can take you out of your “stuck” zone.New Outlook
A vacation can give you a fresh outlook on life. It’s a reminder that there’s a whole world happening out there. You’ll see people, who also may have had losses, who are still living and going about their activities. It can be reassuring.The Scenery
What can lift a mood better than beautiful scenery? With scenery from great cathedrals to glaciers, to ocean waves to mountain vistas, it’s almost impossible not to “feel” the beauty, even in the midst of your sadness.New People.
Imagine talking to people who don’t know your “story” and don’t look at you as if they don’t know what to say. Wouldn’t it be a relief to be anonymous for a week or so?Grieving Gets Lonely.
When you stay for a prolonged period of time in your grief, you begin to close yourself off in unhealthy ways. The longer you isolate yourself, the harder it is to re-enter life again. Being around others can be helpful.Grieving Can Get Crowded.
Sometimes, it’s just too much to have people around constantly. They are helpful. They keep you company. They try to distract you from your sadness and “make it better”.
But sometimes, you just need to be alone or with strangers.A vacation gives you the time to FEEL, THINK, DISCOVER, and MOURN on your own terms. And this is one of the best reasons to go on vacation!
Read About Other Ways to Manage Your Grief HERE!
If you’ve learned only thing from the death of a loved one, it’s this:
LIFE IS TO BE LIVED BECAUSE DEATH CAN COME AT ANY TIME.
You deserve a “grief-cation.”
You’ve just been through one of the worst times in your life.
