Thank you for sharing. Part of me wants to join to maybe feel like I belong somewhere, and the other part of me thinks I don't belong there. I'm a 29 year old widow. We didn't get the chance to have children. All my friends are buying houses/getting engaged/having babies, and I'm widowed. The young widowed purgatory is definitely real.
It's hard feeling like such an outsider, especially among peers! I think if you feel curious to join, it's worth giving it a try. Maybe see if there's one specifically for younger people. I also have been lucky enough to find many widows over the years that were not my age, but bonded over our collective experience. You never know who might provide a bit of comfort.
And if you try and it's horrible, you can always come back and let me know - you know I relate.
Your experience is why I never even thought about going to a grief group. I’d heard the stories of being the youngest one there, the hook ups, the desperate attempts at connection. I wanted/needed a group that got it and was there looking for support and friendship. Thank you for sharing your experiences Dana.
I'd be curious of other people's thoughts on grief groups. I know good ones exist and that people have lovely, healing experiences. But this experience for me was part of the reason I wanted to create the Forced Joy Club - I wanted a space where we could openly talk about it ALL without feeling additional grief and shame.
I wanted to add that I'm not a joiner, probably stems from horrible experience at a Weight Watchers meeting a very long time ago. But I have found my people, my group with the Forced Joy Club, everyone is super supportive, friendly, and welcoming. You have created an amazing community for all of us Dana! :) <3
I, personally, never found a local grief group that was all that helpful. As the only 30 something, and youngest by decades, I felt just as you did. But I searched for community in other places, and that's where I've found support. I found belonging with a group of folks who rescue malamutes. That helps me to not focus on how unlike i am to all my peers, sidestep the young widows purgatory in a way. When i need a shot of grief support, the work you put out is awesome! The comments from others, helps me to remember, I'm not alone in all of this.
Thank you for sharing. Part of me wants to join to maybe feel like I belong somewhere, and the other part of me thinks I don't belong there. I'm a 29 year old widow. We didn't get the chance to have children. All my friends are buying houses/getting engaged/having babies, and I'm widowed. The young widowed purgatory is definitely real.
It's hard feeling like such an outsider, especially among peers! I think if you feel curious to join, it's worth giving it a try. Maybe see if there's one specifically for younger people. I also have been lucky enough to find many widows over the years that were not my age, but bonded over our collective experience. You never know who might provide a bit of comfort.
And if you try and it's horrible, you can always come back and let me know - you know I relate.
Your experience is why I never even thought about going to a grief group. I’d heard the stories of being the youngest one there, the hook ups, the desperate attempts at connection. I wanted/needed a group that got it and was there looking for support and friendship. Thank you for sharing your experiences Dana.
I'd be curious of other people's thoughts on grief groups. I know good ones exist and that people have lovely, healing experiences. But this experience for me was part of the reason I wanted to create the Forced Joy Club - I wanted a space where we could openly talk about it ALL without feeling additional grief and shame.
I wanted to add that I'm not a joiner, probably stems from horrible experience at a Weight Watchers meeting a very long time ago. But I have found my people, my group with the Forced Joy Club, everyone is super supportive, friendly, and welcoming. You have created an amazing community for all of us Dana! :) <3
Thank you, Lisa! I love our little community.
And also, so sorry about the scarring weight watchers meeting!
I, personally, never found a local grief group that was all that helpful. As the only 30 something, and youngest by decades, I felt just as you did. But I searched for community in other places, and that's where I've found support. I found belonging with a group of folks who rescue malamutes. That helps me to not focus on how unlike i am to all my peers, sidestep the young widows purgatory in a way. When i need a shot of grief support, the work you put out is awesome! The comments from others, helps me to remember, I'm not alone in all of this.