Need to say no

Eloise0304 · October 15

I asked this in another discussion but came here due to the recent loss of my husband just a month ago. I am frozen right now with grief and am not ready to socialize. A cousin asked me to lunch tomorrow (we are not that close), as he is passing thru my area, and I said yes, but now I really don't want to go. And my husband's sister invited me to her son's house for Thanksgiving (haven't seen them in years), and feel pressured to go

I just need permission to know how to say "no" to those that don't understand the loss of a spouse due to dementia and it was in a relatively short time. Sorry if I posted more than once.

howhale · October 15

Just say "No" when you do not feel like being among others. I too have struggled with this same situation several times now since the loss of my fear wife 2 months ago. I have tried my best to explain to all the family, close and otherwise, that my life right now is day to day and even changes within the day. Our grief does not follow any rules and, in my opinion, is at a level that is beyond what many have ever experienced or will understand. It caused some consternation initially but I offered them all articles and information to help them understand, but my bottom line right now is that I will not make a commitment to anything until the last minute. I have committed a couple times and then backed out at the last minute. We do not know what each day will bring us, what will trigger our flood of emotions, when we will be able to engage "normally" again, if ever. Sharing information from here with family and others can help some of them understand better the depth of our grief. Some will never understand. If they truly love you, they will support your need to move ahead at your pace.

tigersmom · October 16

Eloise, anyone who cares about you should understand what a difficult time this is for you. I lost my husband in early October last year, and for a long time, I needed to stay home with my two cats and keep the circle tight. I found it helpful to tell people I just wasn’t t up to socializing then, but that I hoped that they would ask me again in the future, when I was ready. Some of them actually did.

GothicGremlin · October 17

Eloise, I'm so sorry on the loss of your husband.

This is a very difficult time for you, and howhale said it best "If they truly love you, they will support your need to move ahead at your pace." I know that's how it was for me when I lost my sister to this terrible disease.

In terms of how to say no —- I'd just say what you've said here, essentially that you're not ready to go out yet.

Eloise0304 · October 20

Thank you for replying to my post. It helps to see others in my same situation. I made up a story when I told my cousin I couldn't meet up. I have to learn to go at my own pace

SDianeL · October 23

take your time. You will know when you are ready. It’s been a year and I’m just now forcing myself to go to family get togethers. Once I get there I do enjoy it. I just take each day at a time and see how I’m feeling. 💜

howhale · October 24

"One Day At A Time", a sitcom from the 1975 period by Norman Lear. Who would have thought that that title would mean something so different for so many of us decades later. It is so helpful to read here that I am not alone in my daily struggle to get through another day. I think most of my family, after just over two months have started, just started, to understand that my path forward may be long and uncertain. Every day often brings a surprise and we have to adjust to it because we cannot change it. Today I had a new experience I did not expect. For several days I have had contractors working at the home to catch up maintenance left undone for the past years. Over those few days I was able to maintain composure so as not to fall apart. They finished yesterday afternoon and my world returned to silence, alone and adrift. It dawned on me that I had not broken down in tears over those few days and this morning at 3 am they, the tears, returned with a vengeance. Our paths forward are not simple, clear, predictable nor easy and taking the next step at your pace and in your way is the "right" way to do it. Sharing information with family did seem to help some understand that I was not unique, nor unstable or at risk, just grieving in my own way. Having provided them the explanation relieved me of having to make up excuses, (which I did many times) for not participating.

fmb · October 26

Nine months in, and I still cry at the drop of a hat. In public, at church, wherever. I don't have family occasions, but still have to carefully select which activities I participate in. And that can vary day-to-day. Some days I'm up for being around people, and others I'm not. You're not alone.

Eloise0304 · October 27

Keep this conversation going. I think we can all relate to having a hard time saying no and committing to things we don't really want to do. And how to navigate.

persevere · October 27

I have often thought that once this is over all I want is to be alone. I’m not sure why since loneliness is one of the biggest problems my DW and I have now. Perhaps it’s because I feel abandoned by all those who should be making sure we’re not alone. Like Howhale I tried to educate everyone on what this is and what we’re going through. But at the end of the day everyone just looks out for themselves. So yes, if you don’t want to go out or be with anyone you don’t owe them any kind of explanation. Just say no.

Need to say no

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