How To Cope With Loss Over 50

How Do You Cope With Loss When You Are Over 50 Years Old?

At any age, coping with the death of a loved one is never easy. Coping with loss can be challenging at any age, but as we get older, we often have more life experience and may have experienced loss before whether it be the death of a grandparent, pet, parent, sibling or even a child. However, as you get older and you have gradually experienced losing different loved ones, your support system may change with age.

Here are some strategies that may help you cope with loss as you get older:

1. Allow yourself to grieve. Grieving is a healthy and necessary part of life. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and give yourself time to grieve the loss.
2. Reach out for support. Talk to friends, neighbors. and family members who knew your loved one. Share memories. If you don’t have that type of support system, considering joining a bereavement or support group. Private therapy can also be tremendously helpful in dealing with your emotions.
3. Self-care matters. Take care of yourself by eating well, getting exercise, and getting enough sleep.
4. Stay connected with others. Maintaining social connections can help you feel less isolated and provide you with emotional support.
5. Talk about your loved one! You can lift your own spirits so easily by sharing fond memories! This will provide much needed comfort by remembering your loved one and the positive impact they had on your life. Share with friends how you met, your favorite activities, trips you took, etc.
6. Journaling. Keeping a diary is one of the most beneficial ways to privately grieve while facing your own emotions.

Some people open up while others distance themselves. Grief is a personal process. It is important to keep in mind that everyone grieves differently, and there is no right or wrong way to cope with loss. The most important thing is to do what feels right for you.

How Do You Get Rid Of Things That Belonged To Your Spouse or Partner?

1. Photograph it! Take pictures of everything before you get rid of it. This will eliminate any guilt.
2. Donate to others in need. Donate items that have sentimental value to charity or a local organization.
3. Sell it.  Consider selling items that have monetary value on online platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
4. Gift it. If someone close to you would like an item, consider gifting it to them. Contact your local veteran’s groups to see if they will pick up the items. WePickUp.org is a great charity!
5. Store: If you can’t part with it just yet, store it! Store items in a box or container and keep it out of sight until you feel ready to go through it.
6. Discard. If items have no sentimental or monetary value, you can simply discard them. Although the movie theater ticket to the first movie you went to with your loved one may have sentimental value, it is not going to matter to anyone else. You have the memory. That is what matters the most!

Remember, it is important to give yourself time and be kind to yourself as you go through this process. It can be emotionally challenging, so allow yourself to feel your emotions and seek support from friends or a therapist if needed.