Practical Stuff | The Other Side Of De

When your partner dies, people bring food, flowers, cards.

But no one tells you about the practical shifts that come later — the tiny things that suddenly feel complicated.

Here are a few lessons I learned slowly.

1. Simple meals are enough

You don’t need to cook a full dinner.

A slow cooker, a microwave meal, a bowl of soup — all perfectly fine.

You’re not failing. You’re conserving energy.

2. You’ll forget to drink water

Grief dries you out.

Keep a water bottle handy. A very simple thing, but it helps.

3. The admin comes in waves

Banks, pensions, accounts, bills.

Do one thing per day.

One.

It’s enough.

4. You might feel anxious about the house

Night noises, creaking floors, doors closing.

Motion lights, better locks, and a simple door sensor can restore a sense of safety.

5. You need fresh air more than you think

Open windows, even briefly.

It resets the mind.

6. Your sleep may change

For a while, I slept in shorter bursts.

A weighted blanket and soft background sound helped settle my body.

7. You will have moments of calm

They arrive unexpectedly.

A warm morning.

A bird on the fence.

A memory that feels gentle instead of sharp.

Recognise these moments when they come.

They are signs that life is still reachable.