Valentine's Day And Lost Partners

After losing a partner or spouse, certain days can trigger feelings of grief. These can include their birthday, relationship anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day. Because Valentine’s Day can be prominently on display for weeks in advance, it can often feel like a constant reminder every time you go into a store or see an ad online. It’s practically impossible to avoid. Below, we will discuss tips for dealing with grief during Valentine’s Day.

Grief Journaling

Writing about how you feel can be cathartic. Do whatever helps you process your emotions and put them on the page. Ultimately, it works the opposite way to bottling up your feelings. Whether you type it out or put pen to paper, getting your emotions out can be beneficial. If a journaling format does not fit your style, poetry can also be a good way to write about how you feel.

Write a Letter to Your Partner

Writing a letter to your lost love can also help, in much the same way as grief journaling. For this exercise, make it more personal to the individual. It can help you express your thoughts, miss final words, or say a last goodbye.

Create a Scrapbook or Memory Box

Making a scrapbook of favorite photos or a memory box with mementos can be a great way to honor your time together. You can even print photos from social media or create a digital scrapbook from an online service. 

Donate

Support a local charity or organization by donating or volunteering. Consider picking an organization that was dear to your loved one. If they passed from a terminal condition, consider choosing an organization that supports those with the condition. 

Celebrate Your Partner

Remembering your love on Valentine’s Day is a great way to honor their memory. Leave their favorite flowers at their grave, listen to their favorite songs, or watch a movie you both enjoyed together. Do something that brings them closer to you in this moment.

The author of this post is not a professional therapist or counselor. For more personalized grief care, find a grief counselor that is right for you. For our Grief Resource Center, written by Dr. Bill Webster, click here. 
For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.