Judypeach, I am truly sorry that you find yourself here with us. I am so sorry that you are part of this awful group that no one wants to join. It really is as bad as it feels. Of course you are having a hard time coming to terms with the death of your partner. You should be. It is normal. The rugs were pulled out front under us and we are all tumbling around.
But, we are all here, having an awful time of it right with you. I may never come to terms with my husband’s death 5 weeks ago. It is surreal.
If you feel any of this, you are fine. Numb. Empty. Lost. Repetitive. Unable to recall words when speaking, Unable to remember what someone just said. Manic cleaning. Obsessing. No appetite. Losing weight. Not sleeping. Unable to concentrate. Too scattered to drive. Scattered thoughts. Scattered brain. Worry. Anxiety. Fear. Intestinal issues. Nausea. Panic. Stoic sadness. Crying your heart out. Angry.
Here is what you do. You pay the bills. You feed yourself and your pet. You get your hair done. Make a list of 5 things you must do each day, plan your day only an hour ahead of time, as you do these things, check them off. It will be a visual validation that you are in control and getting things done. Even at this slow pace, you will have accomplished 35 things in a week and 150 in a month.
It is my Rule of 5s and I live by it. It works.
Rest between the listed "to do"s. If you get 5 hours of sleep at night, you are doing alright and that seems about right at this 2 week point. To bed late, rise early. In a couple of weeks you will take long afternoon naps from the exhaustion of grief and little sleep. Well, call is siesta which is a truly brilliant cultural norm.
None of older widows or widowers want to cook as it is too much effort and work and the newest widows seem to stay home because they want to hibernate. BUt, those of us without appetites who want to stay home and not cook can still eat well.
Boil a dozen eggs and put them in the fridge for easy protein, fast breakfast or sandwiches, make a big salad without dressing and store it in the fridge, makea chicken salad and do the same, get the small containers of cut fresh fruit, buy cucumbers - chock full of electrolytes, an apple, 2 avocados, already chopped broccoli, make a chicken salad for the fridge. You will do just fine.
And, always have chocolates.
Much love.