I am three months after losing my husband of 40 years, I think I am doing ok. But there are so many triggers that transport me back to the day the police officers sat on my sofa and told me the news that meant my life would change forever
Yesterdays trigger actually makes me smile when I reflect on it - it was my flu and covid jab! We both had health conditions that mean we have been offered flu jabs for years and in recent times, a covid booster. I suddenly realised I was going on my own. I’m not worried about the jabs it was just a sudden realisation that Kev had gone and it would always be just me in the future
Luckily a quick phone call to a friend and I had a companion ( who was also having both jabs yesterday), who understood ,gave me a hug and queued up with me.
I am blessed to have such good friends and a close family, it is definitely making my journey easier, but it won’t stop the triggers 
I certainly agree with you about the triggers, I’m now 2 1/2 years into my new life. The good news for me was that the triggers faded slowly, they became more and more insignificant. Most have disappeared, but not all. I still have great problems in being in a crowd of acquaintances, trying to make small talk. I used to dread cocktail parties and works dinners. I always hated these "do"s, as did Penny. We used to rely on each to “rescue” each other, and I always kept looking for her to come to my aid, and each time when I realised she never would, my emotions blew up. So I decided just not to go to any, and I’m much happier.
I am the opposite - I am fine with social occasions, it’s when I’m on my own that the thoughts in my head make me plunge into grief, as I was never really on my own since we took early retirement. Although we did do our “own things” too which I am now grateful that we did
I am comforted by your comments that things have become easier for you, I can’t imagine beyond the end of this week at the moment, so it’s good to hear that some triggers may become easier to deal with. I hope you have a good day/week x