12 Ways to Avoid Crying When You’re Grieving the Loss of a Parent

Do not listen to music. This is especially true of country music. Hip hop may be okay.
Do not commute to work over long distances that leave you with too much time in your head.
Take fast showers, and stay focused on hygiene, not the emptiness.
Avoid looking at family photographs.
Ignore the fact that the holidays will still exist.
Abstain from drinking more than one glass of wine at any one point in time.
Do not travel down Target aisles that pose a threat, such as those where you might see a can of his favorite kind of nuts (Beer Nuts) or catch the scent of Old Spice aftershave.
Talk to your dogs about chewbones, the weather, or anything but how you’re feeling. Especially if they have big, brown-saucer eyes and floppy ears.
Do not allow yourself to linger for very long in the company of compassionate and kind people who ask you how you’re doing.
Do not text your sisters or call your mom.
Tell your husband no thank you when he wants to simply hold your hand or massage your neck.
Amp up your carb intake and emotionally overeat as necessary.


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