3 min read

The Road Beyond - Taking Time Out After Loss

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Whenever we walk through uncertain times, taking care of the essentials can be incredibly hard. If you’ve already gone through What to Do When Grief is Fresh and Addressing Cash Flow, you are moving through this process with a lot of information that’s easily accessible.

[minti_pullquote align="right"]“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
(Brené Brown)[/minti_pullquote]You might be tempted to take all of this information and begin making big, sweeping reforms to your life. A lot of people feel the need to move, quit their job, or change other major facets of their lives. Today, we want to remind you to take care of yourself in the midst of all the change.

As all of your friends and family rally around you, you’ll get differing opinions on what to do next and, specifically, what to do with your money. Ninety-nine percent of that advice will be intended to help you, but only you can figure out which way to go next. Sorting out conflicting opinions about what’s best for you requires clarity, and clarity requires space.

Look at your personal calendar and carve out some time to do the things you love. Make time to create mental space for processing your situation and the opportunities the future holds.

 

Here’s what that might look like:

  • Get walking. Carve out thirty minutes each day to get outside (or on a treadmill).
  • Join a yoga class. There’s probably a yoga studio close to your house. Don’t worry. You won’t be the only one there who is a beginner.
  • If you feel like your yoga days are behind you, most gyms offer senior fitness programs that can be quite beneficial.
  • Sit in your favorite chair and focus your mind on a mantra, a sacred text, or just clear your mind altogether.
  • Find any activity that allows you to lose track of time and brings you peace, such as reading, gardening, whittling, or going on scenic drives.

These kinds of activities allow you to experience calm and tranquility in an otherwise turbulent time. The moments you give to yourself will go a long way in helping you know your own mind and see your situation clearly.

Try to set a time period before you make any other broad changes. We frequently advise those who are in a non-precarious financial situation and have lost a loved one to avoid making any large decisions for one year.

The truth is, those big changes can wait. Allowing yourself some space to grieve and process gives you the mental clarity to make good decisions when you are ready.

 

Bottom line: Don’t rush into anything.

 

Take a timeout from making decisions you don’t have to make. If you need help figuring out what you need to do from an unbiased source, we would gladly evaluate your Look Behind/Look Ahead and Cash Flow worksheets.

Need Help Taking a Timeout?

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