What to Do When You’ve Outlived Your Husband

Widowhood is a feminist issue. While 14.9% of men over 65 are widowed, this number rises to 45.2% for women. Due to hundreds of years of tradition, women may have become dependent on their husbands, both financially and emotionally. In the unfortunate and regrettable event that you lose your spouse, are you ready to enter the next stage of life? Preparing yourself for this new era of independence may be daunting, but it is a necessary part of life for many women entering their golden years.

Taking Control of Your Life

The grieving process is important, so allow it to take as long as you need. Part of moving on after losing a loved one, however, is seeing the new opportunities that present themselves. It’s time to pick yourself up and take control. You will likely have finances to sort through and possessions to organize. See this as a time to organize your own life and pick up the new responsibilities. At the same time, however, remember to ask for help if you are overwhelmed.

Talking Is a Sign of Strength

In fact, asking for help is an important part of the process. It is often thought that men are less likely to seek support during an emotional crisis, but finding someone to take comfort in can be just as hard for women. This is especially true if you consider yourself a “strong” person. However, talking is a sign of strength because you are willing to share your deepest emotions in the darkest moments. Rekindle old friendships and stay socially active. This is essential for your cognitive health, especially as you age.

Embrace New Experiences

You may think that moving on from a loved one to new experiences makes you seem uncaring. You may even feel guilty. However, it is important to remember what your husband would have wanted. Failing to live your life to the full won’t bring them back, so keep looking forward and embracing new adventures, perhaps even new relationships. It may take a while to reach this point, but reaching it without guilt should be your goal.

The loss that many women face in older life is rarely talked about. You are lucky as a female to have a longer life expectancy, but it may mean years of grief and loneliness. Before the event happens, try to prepare yourself emotionally. When the time comes, you have the opportunity to develop into a confident, independent woman with a renewed excitement for life.

Thanks to Jane Sandwood