The Quiet House | The Other Side Of De

Getting Through the evenings are among the hardest times after a partner or a family member stops being 'there'.

It’s when the house feels too large.

Too still.

Too full of memory.

Here are a few things that helped me through those quiet hours — practical, gentle, nothing dramatic.

1. Turn soft lights on before it gets dark

The moment of sudden darkness can hit like a wave.

Warm lamps and soft lighting make the evening feel less abrupt, less empty.

2. Put on quiet music, even if only for 10 minutes

Music fills the emotional vacuum a little.

Classical, gentle guitar, the soundtrack from a favourite film — it doesn’t matter. What matters is the presence of sound.

3. Create one evening ritual

A cup of tea.

A walk.

A short journal entry.

A TV programme you watch at the same time each day.

Rituals provide stability when the world loosens.

4. Keep a blanket or warm throw close

A warm blanket is surprisingly comforting — like a physical reminder that you’re still here, still alive, still deserving of comfort.

5. Let yourself cry if the evening brings tears

Tears are not a setback. They’re a release.

6. Keep a book within reach

Not a demanding one. A book that feels like a friend.

7. Add small companionship

A radio.

An audiobook.

A pet.

Or even the presence of outdoor sounds — wind, rain, passing cars.

The quiet house doesn’t stop being quiet.

But it becomes more bearable, one small ritual at a time.