>> I've actually had quite a few people offer to help.<<
Okay, great.
>> I just don't know what they can do besides what they have been, letting me talk it out. It's been a godsend. I wish I knew what they could do that is concrete.<<
Among the most common: * Driving you places * Grocery shopping * Picking up mail / packages * Running other errands around town * Cooking or bringing meals * Laundry * Feeding pets / watering plants * Other housekeeping
The idea is to take the weight off, so you don't have to focus on practical things when it's hard to remember what needs doing and what the steps are. You need to concentrate on grieving so it gets done right and doesn't deep-fry your life for years on end.
There are two typical ways to do this, when it is hard to think of what might help. 1) Look at lists of "things that help" and then write down those items that sound useful to you. 2) As you're going through the day, write down stuff you don't have time for, or wish you didn't have to do, that someone else could do.
Good idea. The simplest is just to write down 3 things you are grateful for. If you like prompts, though, there are lots of gratitude journals for that:
Re: Thoughts
Okay, great.
>> I just don't know what they can do besides what they have been, letting me talk it out. It's been a godsend. I wish I knew what they could do that is concrete.<<
Among the most common:
* Driving you places
* Grocery shopping
* Picking up mail / packages
* Running other errands around town
* Cooking or bringing meals
* Laundry
* Feeding pets / watering plants
* Other housekeeping
The idea is to take the weight off, so you don't have to focus on practical things when it's hard to remember what needs doing and what the steps are. You need to concentrate on grieving so it gets done right and doesn't deep-fry your life for years on end.
There are two typical ways to do this, when it is hard to think of what might help. 1) Look at lists of "things that help" and then write down those items that sound useful to you. 2) As you're going through the day, write down stuff you don't have time for, or wish you didn't have to do, that someone else could do.
https://mysideof50.com/help-when-someone-dies/
http://unspokengrief.com/7-practical-ways-to-help-your-grieving-friend/
>> I should try the gratitude journal again. <<
Good idea. The simplest is just to write down 3 things you are grateful for. If you like prompts, though, there are lots of gratitude journals for that:
https://www.intelligentchange.com/blogs/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-keeping-a-gratitude-journal
https://www.developgoodhabits.com/gratitude-journal-prompts/
https://diaryofajournalplanner.com/daily-gratitude-journal-prompts/
https://www.developgoodhabits.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/The-90-Day-Gratitude-Journal_Final-V2.pdf
There are also apps if you like that sort of thing:
https://www.happierhuman.com/gratitude-app/