Seniors Can Find Purpose after Losing Loved Ones

We all experience loss in life. If you’re an older adult, you may have lost a spouse, a parent, or someone else that was very close to you. Death is a part of life but losing a close loved one can leave a void in your life that’s hard to fill. Without that certain individual in your life, you may feel as though you’ve lost your purpose. If you’re experiencing these feelings, getting involved in your community, church, or social clubs can help you regain your joie de vivre, your enjoyment of life. Here are some tips that can help you in that journey.

1. Stay Active

After the loss of a loved one, especially a life partner, it may seem like you can’t continue to enjoy the activities that you had shared with that special person. But it’s better to keep going. Stay active in your church, go to the gym, join a club, of just take a walk. Active living can have many life changing benefits that will help you move forward.

2. Be Creative

When grieving the loss of a loved one, you may find satisfaction is creating something from scratch. Even if it involves a skill you’ve never developed, give it a try. Build a birdhouse, learn to cook a new dish, or paint a picture. These kinds of exercises will help to keep your body and mind active to face the days ahead with eager anticipation.

3. Try a New Hobby

You may have never had time for a hobby, but you can help fill the void in your life by learning something new. Photography, sculpture, pottery, or trying your hand at a musical instrument are all ways to exercise your mind and body and can help you to find renewed purpose in life.

4. Get Involved

Losing a loved one can make you feel disoriented and like you’ve lost a sense of purpose. Serving others by volunteering your time is a great way to find purpose by becoming a valuable member of your community. Take an inventory of the skills you have and find an organization that can use those talents. You may want to work in a soup kitchen or volunteer at a hospital or library. Volunteering is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, and a great way to honor and contribute to the groups and organizations that were close to the hearts of the loved ones you’ve lost.

5. Build Connections with Others

Human interaction is vital to our existence. We need other people. After you’ve lost a loved one, you may feel isolated and alone, but that’s the time to reach out to others. Find a new friend at church, at the gym, or maybe even in your own neighborhood. Many communities have online groups you can join for dining out, travel, or taking in cultural activities like museums or concerts.

For those who are looking for an active adult community, Cambridge Village offers retirement independent living at its finest. We’ve designed our active retirement communities in Raleigh, Apex, and Wilmington, North Carolina, to embody our Optimal Living^® approach. . Our Optimal Living® approach is infused into every aspect of our 55+ communities in North Carolina—from our wellness and fitness offerings to our concierge care. If you would like more information about our communities, or if you’d like to schedule a tour, visit our website or give us a call at any of our locations:

Apex

10000 Cambridge Village Loop
919-249-7612

Brier Creek

7901 TW Alexander Drive
Raleigh, NC 919-737-7000

Wilmington

75 Cavalier Drive
Wilmington, NC 910-756-4189