I started exercising. So far entered two 5k's this past year. It helps me with so much. Weight loss, muscle building, emotions, and something to do when alone.
I also love to take pictures. There is so much beauty surrounding us.
Marilyn

Before my husband's passing, I would walk at lunch with a co-worker and do other exercises at home or at the gym. He would tend to his horses and played golf. I have lost my passion for hobbies and exercise. Right now I am organizing the family photo albums and preparing to move to my new little place. I need to get back into the swing of things.

Always wanted to learn to play golf. This past summer I started doing that, and I find it enjoyable, relaxing, and frustrating! It's something I can do without associating any part of it to my partner.

A year after I lost my husband I joined a local gym for the first time in my life. I wanted to do everything I could to stay living longer myself because our children had already lost so much. It was one of the best choices that I have made along the journey...
hugs..
-Diana

Exercise and the outdoors is a great outlet. If I'm really down and I get outside and start moving, I feel better within a few minutes. I spent an entire month at least after he passed hauling and burning brush. The increase in oxygen has an impact on how positive you feel. That contact with Mother Earth boosts the immune system. Will and I used to take long walks as we lived quite remote. I still do some hiking around, but with he and all the big dogs passed now so I have to do it alone. Maybe someday there will be another hiking partner (two legged or four!).

I just started some college courses. I lost my time reference ability, from the aftermath of Johns medical schedule appt. and meds. So these classes are part therapy and to get hopefully to a goal of an Art therapist.
I had seen so many children in the Cancer wing, just staring wide eyed. Not knowing what or how to absorb what was happening to them or someone they loved. I want to teach them outlets through art.

My experiences, empathy and art skills will have a positive use in this area.

If I can do it, then maybe this pain for me, will also have a positive outlet.

Best of luck in that Jewells. Sounds wonderful. Out of grief and despair can arise beauty and creativity. Like a Phoenix reborn of its own ashes. I've always had the desire to teach functional illiterate adults. Maybe someday I'll do that.

I have kind of devoted the first year to staying afloat emotionally and mentally and doing what I need to do. However I applaud all those that have started new activities. At some point I plan to use that as a bridge to start a new life in whatever form that takes. New activity may take the form of new job, hobby or volunteering but I know at some point I have to shake things up again. Gerald

My lifestyle has changed so much in the past 2 years. When my husband died I said to myself I'll give myself 2 years." Two years of what I don't know. I don't know why I said it. Anyway, I decided to retire. It will be another huge change and the only thing I can think of is learning to grow plants on my porch. My neighbors who are accomplished artists are encouraging me to develop my art talent. That might be fun.

Whatever it is that's a positive outlet so we are moving forth in some direction. When we are ready of course; there is no timeframe. I believe we all have our own special talents, and we are endowed with what we need to get by.

I lost my husband July 27th and I was blessed that my husband was okay with me socializing and traveling on my own. He didn't like to travel, so I would travel in this country and in europe with groups. I have added another senior center. I am 73. I take water aerobics at one center. I also facilitate a weight loss support group. I was a weight watcher leader. I also attend three other centers where we go on day trips to wineries, play and movies. I am trying my best not to stay in the house or come home too early in the day, because then I will cry and feel sorry for myself. Keep busy.

I studied Spanish for awhile. Grew bored, now I'm training my new dog.

Well, not exactly new but I have more time to work on them now. Years ago, I was into genealogy so I have gotten interested in that again. When my husband was taking chemo treatments, he would come home and talk about it being so cold in the chemo room. I loved to crochet so I decided to make chemo blankets and give them to the chemo patients. With the first one, I would finish a sequence of colors and I used him as my pattern to tell me when it was long enough. He said the blankets the chemo room used were not long enough to cover your body and your feet. He was 5' 7" so I used him as my pattern. I finally got it long enough to cover like he wanted it and now I'm making more. I have given my first one to a friend of mine that has breast cancer. She says she loves it because it will cover all of her up. I told her she could thank my husband for that and then told the story. I have also been asked to make a baby blanket since then and wow, was that fun!!!! That blanket was so soft it made me want to hug the baby but it hasn't been born yet. :) Oh, I didn't mean to be so long winded. :(

I started exercising again since July. That seems to be my main focus right, and writing. I find writing helps me, a way to express how I feel. I also recently starting socializing again, but feel this is something I really have to force myself to do, not something I willingly do in my heart, it is more my head that tells me to do it. I was thinking only yesterday about trying to learn an instrument, perhaps a guitar. Always tried in the past but never could do it, I think my fingers are too large. My wife always said I had the hands of a pianist and I do love to play a piano, used to love to write melodies. I don't think I can do that now.

I lost my husband aug 21st. Would have been married for 50 years this nov. 30th. Go exercising to the gym everyday but something that helps me more than anything is helping others. Not that I can, financially but trying to be a good listener. I need some advise. I have a friend that is a male, single, just a good friend. I feel so sorry for him. He took care of his mom and dad for years until they passed. His family has thrown him under the bus. He inherited money from his parents and they took it all. They did leave him stay in the house but he has no food or money and they told him he has to pay all utility bills, taxes, etc. He has no job. He has always just done odd jobs. He doesnt drive. Just a really nice guy and I want to help him legally but dont know how. Any advise? He's aboutr 55 years old.