Self-care resource for widowed souls
A healthy body gives your mind, heart, and soul everything it needs to do the hard work of healing
The universe has dealt you a terrible blow: your partner was snatched from their earthly existence, and nothing makes sense anymore. The LAST thing you may be thinking about is taking care of yourself.
I get it. Even with a career spanning decades in the wellness industry, I found myself too miserable to eat, exercise, or sleep after my beloved husband died. Hell, I was numb; barely functioning at all.
But I’m here to tell you why, as a widow, it’s crucial to focus on self-care. In fact, there is no BETTER time to start than right now.
Why your self-care matters right now
One month after my husband died of cancer, I came down with COVID. One week after I recovered from that, my back went out as I bent over to get something out of a bottom drawer. Sure, I had a few friends who were able to drop by with food and meds, but no one was there by my side to help me bathe, bring me tea, or help me onto the toilet.
I have no children, no siblings, no parents. Most of my closest friends and relatives live hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. Those who did live nearby had their own families and lives – they weren’t in the position to care for me 24 x 7.
This was my first red flag – I was on my own. I had to do whatever I could to avoid illness and injury.
The second a-ha came as I recalled my husband’s horrible cancer journey. He didn’t want to die; he had so much more he wanted to experience and see. He spent his final 3 years of life depressed and in constant misery as he battled aggressive disease, and worse yet – the brutal side effects of cancer treatment.
As I remembered his suffering, a beautiful soul who cherished life and felt it slip through his fingers way too soon, I experienced a profound wake-up call. Being healthy and fit… and to live a long, full life is all that Jay craved. Through this memory (and perhaps through the ether), he showed me that NOTHING is more valuable than my health.
My husband would not want his legacy to be that his death destroyed my life.
Is Wellness for Widows for you?
If you:
- Avoid going to the grocery store, unable to figure out how to shop and cook for just one person; perhaps you can’t even get out of the car without breaking down into a tearful mess (my poem describes my own meltdown in the grocery store parking lot)
- Are unable to get up off the couch (or out of bed), let alone take a walk or workout at the gym
- Have zero energy, yet still unable to sleep at night, haunted by memories of your partner’s passing and the constant “what ifs” and “should haves”
- Cannot shut down your monkey mind, consumed with anger, fear, frustration, yearning, and sadness
- Are concerned about your OWN health and fitness, and worry about how to take care of yourself on your own should illness or injury occur
- Consume every book, YouTube video, podcast and join every Facebook group for widows seeking answers and support… but still don’t know how (or why) to physically survive this dreadful ordeal