Stop giving in to others and just be you.

Raw, beautiful you.

“DO YOUR THING AND DON’T CARE IF THEY LIKE IT.”

- TINA FEY, BOSSYPANTS

Widows are definitely stripped down to the rawest form. The good, the bad and the ugly. It can feel like that. You are naked and exposed. Raw and hurt. Broken and alone. It is pure pain. There is no question. That is okay. You need to be where you are. You need to just be you.

Here are some suggestions on how to be true to yourself while you are grieving:

Give yourself permission to feel

One of the most important things you can do when you're grieving is to give yourself permission to feel all of the emotions that come with it. Don't try to push your feelings aside or pretend like everything is okay. Allow yourself to feel sad, angry, frustrated and whatever else you need to feel.

Don't compare yourself to others

It's easy to look at other people and think that they're handling their grief better than you are. But the truth is, everyone grieves differently, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. Don't compare yourself to others, and don't feel like you need to meet anyone else's expectations.

Take care of yourself

Grieving can take a toll on your physical and emotional health, so it's important to take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly and do things that bring you joy. Even though you are incredibly sad, find some small joy in the simple things. A beautiful cloud on your walk or a sweet smell when you pass the bakery.

Lean on your support system

During times of grief, it's important to have a support system you can lean on. Whether it's friends, family members, a coach or a support group, reach out to the people who care about you and ask for help when you need it. They don’t know you need help if you don’t ask.

Allow yourself to find moments of joy

Just because you're grieving doesn't mean you can't find moments of joy in your life. Allow yourself to laugh, smile and enjoy the things that bring you happiness. It's okay to have moments of joy even when you're grieving.