New Relationships Following Grief

Grieving a partner is one of the hardest and most painful experiences we can go through in life. Everyone's experience is different and there is no set timescale on how long you should grieve for.

Once some time has passed some people feel ready to move on to a new relationship and others do not. There is no right or wrong answer but it is important to do what feels right for you. Entering into a new relationship can be difficulties it brings up lots of different feelings. It can also be difficult if you have children or other family members with strong opinions.

Guilt

Guilt is always a common emotion to feel following a bereavement but can be particularly strong when deciding on whether to move on with a new partner or not. Finding happiness with someone new whilst still loving and missing the person who has passed can make you feel guilty - almost as if you are trying to replace them. It is important to remember how your loved one would have wanted you to feel - would they want you to feel guilty and unhappy? moving on doesn't mean forgetting about the person you've loved.

Children

If you had children with the person who has passed then you will need to take into account their feelings should you move on with someone new. Young children and teenagers who are still living at home may struggle with concept of you meeting someone new - they feel like this person is trying to replace their loved one or struggle with the change of having somebody new around the house. Adult children may be more understanding and accepting of the fact that you wish for companionship and would want for you to be happy. Whatever age your children are a new relationship can still bring up feelings of grief and so it is important to communicate with your children. Be sure to let them know that a new relationship is not a replacement and that you still want to continue talking about them and remembering them always.

The Opinions of Others

Moving on to a new relationship following the death of a partner can cause strong feelings and opinions from others. The people who also had a close relationship with the person who has died can feel like you are trying to replace or forget about your loved one by moving on with someone new. They may even feel that it is too soon for you to be in a new relationship. It may be useful to speak to this person and explain that moving on does not take away how you feel about the person who has passed and that they can never be replaced. day It is your life and you have the right to happiness so do what feels right for you.

Way Up are a fantastic organisation who can connect you with others who have also lost a partner. Sometimes you can feel like nobody around you understands what you are going through and it can be helpful to connect with somebody who does.

Keep Them Close

Moving on does not have to mean forgetting and you can still have your loved one close you always on a beautiful engraved piece of memorial jewellery. Whether you choose to have your loved one's photo, their special handwritten message or even their fingerprint engraved - we have a beautiful selection of necklaces, keyrings, cufflinks and much more memorial jewellery to choose from.