In this episode, Ona and Megan discuss their coping mechanisms in grief. They share their experiences in the early days and weeks after their husbands' deaths, including feelings of sadness, anxiety, and disbelief. Ona found comfort in having people around her and not being alone, while Megan found solace in sleeping and going through the motions of daily life. They also talk about the judgments they faced from others who didn't understand their coping methods. Overall, they emphasize the importance of finding what works for you and not comparing your grief journey to others. In this part of the conversation, Megan and Ona discuss their experiences of being alone after the death of their partners. They talk about sleeping arrangements and how they rearranged their living spaces. They also share their thoughts on seeing their partners' bodies after they passed away. The conversation then shifts to therapy and grief support. Megan expresses guilt for not seeking therapy for herself and her children, while Ona shares her experiences with grief groups and therapy. They discuss healthy coping mechanisms, such as reaching out to friends, going for walks, and journaling. In this conversation, Megan and Ona discuss both healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms they have adopted after the loss of their partners. They talk about healthy coping mechanisms such as reading, physical touch, and leaning on loved ones for support. They also discuss unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive shopping and drinking. They share their experiences of using trips and vacations as a way to escape and find joy. Overall, they emphasize the importance of giving oneself grace and understanding that coping mechanisms are a part of the grief journey.

Keywords

coping mechanisms, grief, sadness, anxiety, disbelief, support, judgment, being alone, sleeping arrangements, living spaces, seeing the body, therapy, grief support, coping mechanisms, coping mechanisms, healthy coping, unhealthy coping, reading, physical touch, support, shopping, drinking, trips, vacations, escape, joy, grace, grief journey

Takeaways

• Coping mechanisms in grief vary from person to person and there is no right or wrong way to cope.
• Having people around can provide comfort and support during the early days of grief.
• Sleeping and going through the motions of daily life can be a way to cope and maintain a sense of normalcy.
• Judgments from others about coping methods are unhelpful and should be disregarded.
• Each person's grief journey is unique and should not be compared to others. After the death of a partner, the experience of being alone can be overwhelming and scary.
• Rearranging living spaces and sleeping arrangements can provide a sense of comfort and safety.
• Deciding whether or not to see the body of a deceased loved one is a personal choice, and there is no right or wrong decision.
• Therapy and grief support can be beneficial in helping individuals and families navigate the grieving process.
• Healthy coping mechanisms for grief include reaching out to friends, going for walks, and journaling. Healthy coping mechanisms include reading, physical touch, and leaning on loved ones for support.
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms can include excessive shopping and drinking.
• Trips and vacations can be a way to escape and find joy.
• It's important to give oneself grace and understand that coping mechanisms are a part of the grief journey.

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