Unexpected loss of a parent

[sp2000]

I’m 23 years old and three months ago I lost my Dad unexpectedly. I’m really struggling at the moment and I just feel so lost. Everything I knew was ripped away from me in an a single moment. My world turned upside down. My typical, everyday life – over. My beautiful family – changed forever. My sense of self and purpose – gone. I don’t know who I am anymore. The world keeps happening around me and I’m just here. It’s like I’m floating, or in a sleepwalk. Nothing feels right. Everything feels wrong. I have this constant dull ache, like a crushing weight in my chest. I don’t know how I will ever feel better. I don’t know how I’m supposed to live my life spending more years without my Dad than with him.

I don’t know how

Topic

[VM-Apples23]

Hi @sp2000

Just wanting to check in and see how you are going now that some time has passed. I acknowledge that grief comes along with very intense emotions, and that this can be a shocking and confusing space to feel yourself in. There is no ‘correct’ way to grieve – it is okay to take your time navigating through this new stage of your life. I’m sure your dad is proud of you, and it is so lovely to see how much you care about your beautiful family.

I’m hopeful that either currently, or in future you can find some way to reengage with your own sense of identity. This is an important aspect of self care :))
Please engage with Griefline via phone or online forums should you like to have a chat about what’s going on. We hear you, and are here for you.

[VM-The Old Oak Tree]

Hi SP2000,
I’m really sorry to hear about the Loss you’re experiencing. It sounds like you we’re really close with your dad. As was mentioned by @VM-bluesky you are of course very early on in your experience of grief. Especially considering that you’ve someone really important that you shared a lifelong bond with. While I understand that you are really suffering right now, these feelings and difficulties are normal for people who are grieving. Especially when it is such a significant loss.
As mentioned it might be helpful to call Griefline’s Helpline 1300 845 745 and to engage with Griefline’s Resources https://griefline.org.au/resources/coping-with-grief.
I was wondering if you have any ways of continuing the bond with your Dad? Perhaps a display of photographs to look at and talk to, music that he liked, or food that he liked for example? Finding ways to continue the bond with someone that you’ve lost can help you to feel connected to them after they have passed, and is a perfectly healthy thing to do. Thought I also understand if that sort of thing might be too much to process at the moment. Please keep in touch via the Forum if you wish to. We are here for you SP2000.

[VM-bluesky]

I’m so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Such sudden and unexpected events can really turn our world upside down and it takes time to process the new world we find ourselves in. Three months is a short time in the grief journey. I strongly recommend you call Griefline HelpLine on 1300 845 745 to obtain support on this journey, and to have a read of Griefline’s Resources like https://griefline.org.au/resources/coping-with-grief/.

[Author]

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