How to survive the loss of a love

Understanding loss. Obvious losses -- Not-so-obvious losses -- Loss related to age -- Limbo losses -- Inevitable losses -- Other losses -- What loss feels like -- The stages of recovery --

Surviving. 1. You will survive -- 2. If you need it, get help at once -- 3. Acknowledge the loss -- 4. You are not alone -- 5. It's OK to feel -- 6. Be with the pain -- 7. You're great! -- 8. Give yourself time to heal -- 9. The healing process has its progressions and regressions -- 10. Tomorrow will come -- 11. Breathe! -- 12. Get lots of rest, now -- 13. Stick to your schedule -- 14. Keep decision-making to a minimum -- 15. It's OK to make "silly" mistakes -- 16. It's OK to go through the motions in slow motion -- 17. It's OK to need comforting -- 18. Seek the support of others -- 19. Touching and hugging -- 20. Find other who have survived a similar loss -- 21. Seek wise guidance -- 22. Surround yourself with things that are alive -- 23. Reaffirm your beliefs -- 24. Sundays are the worst -- 25. The question of suicide --

Healing. 26. Do your mourning now -- 27. Earlier losses may surface -- 28. Be gentle with yourself -- 29. Heal at your own pace -- 30. Don't try to rekindle the old relationship -- 31. Make a pact with a friend -- 32. Mementos -- 33. Anticipate a positive outcome -- 34. Expect to feel afraid -- 35. It's OK to feel depressed -- 36. It's OK to feel anger -- 37. It's OK to feel guilty -- 38. You may want to hire a professional or two -- 39. When you might want counseling or therapy -- 40. A complete medial workup may be in order -- 41. Some depressions may require medication -- 42. Nutrition -- 43. Remember : you're vulnerable -- 44. Beware of the rebound -- 45. Under-indulge in addictive activities -- 46. Pamper yourself -- 47. Dreams can be healing -- 48. Sleep patterns may change -- 49. Sexual desire may change -- 50. Remaining distraught is no proof of love -- 51. Surround yourself with goodness and light -- 52. Pray, meditate, contemplate -- 53. Keep a journal -- 54. There is a beauty in sadness -- 55. Let yourself heal fully -- 56. Affirm yourself -- 57. Visualization -- 58. Use color to lift your spirit -- 59. Laugh! -- 60. As healing continues --

Growing. 61. You're stronger now

62. Let go of the loss and move on

63. Forgiveness is letting go

64. Forgive the other person

65. Forgive yourself

66. Take stock of the good

67. You are a better person for having loved

68. Praise yourself for the courage to relate

69. Changes

70. Start anew

71. Invite new people into your life

72. Develop new interests

73. But don't forget the old interests

74. Groups

75. Self-improvement anyone?

76. Your words have power

77. Think "both/and" rather than "either/or"

78. The freedom to choose

79. It's OK to ask

80. It's OK for other to say no

81. It's OK for other to say yes

82. Fear can be a friend

83. The antidote for anxiety is action

84. Postpone procrastination

85. The past

86. Anniversaries

87. Solitude

88. Creativity

89. Enjoy!

90. Appreciation

91. Do something for someone else

92. Appreciate your growth

93. Your happiness is up to you

94. Celebrate!