When we lose a partner—someone who shaped the rhythm of our days—the world doesn’t just feel emptier; it feels unmoored. In that disorientation, even well-meaning choices can lead us down paths that deepen pain rather than heal it.
Here are five common mistakes to gently avoid in early grief, not out of judgment, but out of care for your future self:
1. Don’t Make Major Life Decisions Too Soon
Selling the house, moving across the country, quitting your job, or liquidating assets in the first 6–12 months can feel like a way to “reset”—but grief distorts clarity.
✅ Wait, if you can. Give yourself time to see clearly again before reshaping your life permanently.
2. Don’t Isolate Yourself Completely
Grief is lonely, but solitude ≠ isolation. Pulling away from friends, family, or community may feel protective, but it often deepens despair.
✅ Let one person in. Even saying, “I don’t want to talk—can we just sit?” keeps connection alive.
3. Don’t Rush to “Get Over It”
