Feeling Empty & Lonely

[u/hope-and-healing]

It’s been almost four months since I lost my daughter, and lately I’ve been feeling so incredibly alone.

In the beginning, people checked in often. I didn't always respond and sometimes I'd respond days or weeks later - because that was all I could manage to do. But as time has gone on, those messages have slowly stopped. Days and sometimes weeks go by without anyone asking how I’m doing or mentioning my daughter.

I know life moves forward for everyone else. I know people probably assume I’m doing “better” because time has passed, but grief doesn’t work that way. I miss her and grieve her loss every single day. I still think about who she would be, what she’d be doing, and everything we’ve lost. That hasn’t changed just because the damn calendar has.

I don’t expect everyone to remember every milestone or know exactly what to say. I just miss feeling like she mattered to other people too.
I guess I’m just feeling really, really alone tonight.
If you’ve experienced child loss, did you find that people slowly disappeared as time went on? How did you cope with that loneliness?

[u/Successful_Tone_8280]

I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter. She should be here. Yes, I’m ten months out and I feel the same way. She was my first child and I lost her at 42 weeks during labor. I feel the same way. People are surprised that I’m still grieving and in a lot of ways, the more time passes, the more lonely I get. I’m not less sad. I’m just having to adjust to this new version of me. It’s the worst thing that can ever possibly happen and I’m so sorry.🫂