By Kimberly Blaker, February 2020 Issue.
Going through a breakup, divorce, or the death of a
spouse isn't easy. You've lost not only your lover but your confidant,
cheerleader, activity partner, support system, and best friend. Such a loss can
be devastating. As such, it's only natural to grieve. In fact, allowing
yourself to grieve is vital to your recovery. You'll need time (and perhaps
even professional help) to work through your denial, anger, bargaining,
depression, and acceptance – the five stages of grief.
But even as you work through this difficult period,
you can begin building a happy, full life. Working toward moving on doesn't
mean you've forgotten the person you lost or your prior life. It simply means
you recognize your emotional and physical wellbeing are dependent on getting
back to a normal, positive life. Certainly, you'll still experience some
sadness and miss the person and life you've lost. Allow yourself to feel sad as
often as you need to. But, also look for at least one, if not multiple ways to
uplift yourself each and every day.
Taking time for personal growth is an excellent way to
raise your spirits. So, focus some time and energy to self-discovery, becoming
a more fabulous you, and finding new ways to enjoy life to its fullest. There's
no need to forget the person and life you lost. To the contrary, cherish those
great memories. But build on them by enjoying new experiences and a newfound
appreciation for all life has to offer.
SELF DISCOVERY & THE PATH TO YOUR NEW HAPPY
There are so many avenues to self-discovery. The truth
is you might never even reach your final destination. That's because
self-discovery is really an ongoing process. As the seasons of your life come
and go, you'll continually grow and change. The good news is, we live in a big,
beautiful world that's full of possibility, endless things to experience, and
always new knowledge to be had. Let some of these ideas be a springboard to
help you find your new groove.
Job or Career. Do
you like what you do for a living? Or do you wish you'd gone a different
direction? This might be a good time to consider a job or career change.
Explore what kinds of work would make you happy. Just bear in mind your
emotional state and take time to think through the pros and cons of your
choices. Then, once you're in a better frame of mind, you'll be ready to put
your plan into action.
Learn a new skill. It doesn't have to be for career growth or change, although it could
be. Learning a new skill offers lots of other benefits. In fact, it's good for
your brain. It increases the speed at which you learn new skills, improves your
performance on other tasks, and expands your knowledge. It also reduces your
risk of dementia. Other benefits include making you more adaptable to change
(such as you're going through now), providing an additional outlet to stave off
boredom, and making you a more interesting person.
The great thing about learning a new skill is the
multitude of choices to fit everyone's interests. There are also numerous
avenues for learning new skills today. Take an online class or go for a
classroom setting. You can also buy or borrow books to learn on your own or
read instructional articles online, watch YouTube videos, webinars, and more.
Volunteer. This
is another way to expand your skills while also making the world a better
place. Volunteering is also beneficial to your emotional health. According to
research, those who volunteer become happier, enjoy reduced stress, and gain
self-esteem. It also increases your social connections. In turn, all these
factors contribute to a healthier, longer life.
New friends. Following
a loss, making new friends is often imperative. If you're like most people in a
relationship, you spent most of your free time with your partner. As a result,
you may have only a small pool of friends. So, get in touch with old friends
and catch up. You might discover new things you have in common that help
rekindle your friendship. Also, make new friends through work, classes, and
volunteering. Meetup.com
is another option. You'll discover a plethora of different types and ages of
groups. There's truly something for everyone.
Music. If
you're a music lover, you know what a mood-booster music can be. Yet, if you're
like most people, you've listened to the same few genres of music throughout
your life. So, visit your library to explore different types of music, and
check out a variety of CDs. Try multiple artists within each genre, since
styles vary widely among any genre. You just might be surprised at the music
you fall in love with and have been missing all your life. Beyond the more
popular rock, rap, R&B, and country, there's also folk, blues, jazz, and
classical. Also, don't skip over the world music section. You'll find
Irish/Celtic, flamingo, reggae, Latin, Zydeco, Afrobeat, and so much more.
Movies & film. Everyone has their favorite movie genres. But maybe it's time to give
some of those other genres a chance. Also, look for independent movie theaters
where you can catch indie and foreign films. You'll often find award-winning
flics in these theaters that never make it into mainstream theaters.
Art. This
isn't a world just for artists. Although you might discover you have a hidden
talent you never realized. Think painting, drawing, sculpting, photography,
printmaking, and so much more. The other option is the simple enjoyment of
looking at art. Check out some art museums and galleries. You might even want
to pick up a book or take a class on art appreciation to understand art at a
whole new level.
Crafts. Hobbies
offer a host of benefits in addition to the crafty things you can make, keep,
and give. Crafting relieves stress and depression, provides challenge, prevents
boredom, and can even generate additional income. Consider wood crafts,
leatherwork, needlework, glassmaking, paper crafts, and countless other
options.
Travel. Whether
you choose to explore your own state, other parts of the country, or the world,
you'll reap many benefits. Travel can be educational, enhances creativity,
broadens your horizons, and best of all, it's fun. You can travel by car,
train, or plane. Make the most of your trips by doing research before you go so
you hit the right weather and don't waste your trip figuring out what to do and
see.
Food. Learn
new cooking or baking skills on your own or by taking cooking classes. You
might also take up a new pastime of cooking your favorite cuisine. If cooking
isn't your thing, you can still enjoy the delectable experience. Explore a
broader variety of foods. Taste a wider range of fruits and vegetables and hit
restaurants to try out cuisines you've never had before.
Sports & Fitness. Make exercise a regular part of your routine. This is
one of the most valuable things you can do for your physical and emotional
health. Oh, but you don't like the “E” word? Then consider a sport. There are
so many to choose from, whether you like team sports or prefer going solo.
Golf, volleyball, tennis, kickball, swimming, martial arts, and roller skating
are just a few of your options.
