I was honored to be asked to be a featured expert on Marriage.com. In a world plagued by social media, our marriage and/or relationships can easily be placed under the microscope. We question if the person we have chosen to share our life with is the right one. Is there someone out there better suited to be with me? Does this person even understand me? Throw in a tragic loss like suicide, and the one thing that felt stable may feel completely the opposite. I wanted to share a recent article that I wrote for marriage.com, on growing together instead of apart.
*To view the original article click here.
“Women are talkers, men are solvers.” This is one of the first statements I make to couples when we begin our work together. I have found that this one difference is often the underlying cause of the infamous statement “They just don’t get me.” This difference is even more prevalent when either one or both individuals within the marriage are grieving. Grief changes us, and when we change our relationships have to adapt or else, they won’t make it. If you or your spouse have recently lost someone you love, I encourage you to read the tips below to help you grow together, instead of apart.
Tip #1: No two relationships are the same
Therefore, no two people will grieve the same way. A mother and father will grieve differently for the loss of their child. There is no right way to grieve. Crying doesn’t always mean healing, and silence doesn’t always mean denial. We do what works for us, in an effort to make it through the pain. Talk to your partner about how he/she can support you, and in return ask how you can support them. Do not assume your partner knows how to support you, regardless of the time you have spent together. Ask for what you need, and ask for what you can give.
Tip#2: This is not a PROBLEM to be SOLVED
You can’t take the pain away. Trying to fix your partner will lead to feelings of failure, and potentially resentment as you ponder over what else you can do to offer support. The best way to support your partner is to allow them to be heard. Offer your shoulder, and lend them your ear. Be present, allowing yourself to sit with them in their pain. Acknowledge that you can’t fix this, but you can walk with them along their journey.
Tip #3: Manage your expectations for yourself, and your partner
The expectations we set for our partners can develop into resentment if we expect them to grieve a specific way, or be a specific way. A man who cannot solve the problem, or “fix” their partner will often end up thinking, “I am a failure.” This belief often leads to another belief regarding the likelihood that the marriage will remain in tact. A woman who wants to be heard, but instead receives solutions, will come to the conclusion that “he doesn’t get me, so I am going to stop talking.” Two people, two different approaches to grief; but our partners can lead to growth together within marriage, instead of growth individually outside the marriage.
Tip #4: Tragedy will alter the way you and your partner see the world
If death was unexpected or tragic do not expect to be the same person as you were before, and do not expect your PARTNER to be the same as he/she was before. We are who we are because of not only genetics, but also our life experiences. Tragedy is a life experience that will alter the way you see the world. Wishing that your partner would return to be the person that they were prior to the event will only lead to resentment and loss of hope. Get to know this new person. Just because they aren’t happy today, doesn’t mean they can’t be tomorrow also. Grieving takes time and energy. Partners can become a better version of themselves; it just takes a little time.
Tip #5: Find a way to memorize the person you lost
We have this belief that moving forward means forgetting. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting, it means learning what your relationship looks like now that the person is no longer here in the physical sense.
Tragedy can drive a wedge between two people who love each other dearly, but it can also make a marriage stronger, and better than it ever was before. The key is to ask for what you need, and offer what your partner asks for, not what you think they need. Manage your expectations, and most importantly, give yourself time to work through the pain that accompanies grief.
While I just experienced the suicide of my Father and have come to find this site and many articles a sense of comfort there is one thing I need to point out. Assuming and referring to man and woman as the traditional married couple, not only turns me off to the article but I am sure many others. It is not only husband and wife that suffer this situation but rather couples. My WIFE and I are going thruuch of this now and I would find it more respectful if you addressed all people.
Hi Marnie-
I am completely aware of how this article could alienate others. I am an expert writer for marriage.com, and was asked to write a piece on how men and women grieve differently. The only reason I addressed this article in the manner that I did, is because I was asked to. I reposted the article, that originally appeared on marriage.com, on our blog. Again, I apologize for alienating anyone.
Hi.. Id like to introduce myself as the one who would like to bring light to the fact that we don’t “commit ” suicide as it is so often said. We suicide , or die of suicide, or take our own like. Id like to post some writings on suicide. My dearest daughter died almost 2 years ago, and i am on this journey with you all who’ve had some dear one die in this way.
I have always found your articles beneficial even when the topic isn’t specific to my circumstance.
THANK YOU Jessica! Speaking for myself, I’m just trying to survive this devastation and don’t need a particular article to be specific to my situation. They have all provided much appreciated insight and are always helpful to me.
My marraige could have survived..but i had no choice. It makes me greive my son even more. My husbsnd was having an affair with a friend during my grief. My son thought his dad was being unfaithful. They took advantage if my state….i dont care….but it makes it that much harder.