Coles: Partners Death Left Me Devastated

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Post on Nov 27, 2024

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Coles: Partner's Death Left Me Devastated - Navigating Grief and Practicalities

Man, where do I even begin? Losing my partner, let alone dealing with the aftermath, was hands down the hardest thing I've ever gone through. And to make matters worse, we were so unprepared. I'm talking zero estate planning, no will, nada. This post isn't about the grief itself – though that was a tidal wave – it’s about the crazy practical stuff that hit me like a ton of bricks after my partner, let's call him Mark, passed away. And how, eventually, I navigated it, with a lot of help from Coles, surprisingly.

The Immediate Chaos After Mark Died

The first few days are a blur, right? One minute, you're laughing with your partner, and the next... everything changes. Hospitals, paperwork, funeral arrangements – it felt overwhelming. I barely remember half of it. What I do remember is the sheer panic of not knowing where to start sorting through Mark's stuff. Bills, bank accounts, superannuation – it was a nightmare.

I was also dealing with an incredible amount of grief. It was a really dark time and I was struggling to keep my head above water. Even the simplest of tasks seemed impossible.

Coles: An Unexpected Lifeline

Here’s where Coles comes in. It sounds weird, I know, but hear me out. We shopped there almost every week. It became a routine for us, a small comfort, really. After Mark died, going to Coles was initially something I couldn't even fathom doing. Grocery shopping felt pointless. But eventually, the need to eat forced me out of my stupor.

Coles, for me, wasn’t just about groceries; it was about a sense of normalcy, something familiar in the midst of a completely foreign, terrifying experience. The simple act of choosing which avocados to buy, even though it felt incredibly trivial considering my circumstances, brought a tiny bit of routine back into my life.

Practical Tips for Handling a Partner’s Death

So, what did I learn? Aside from needing more wine (haha, just kidding... mostly), a few things became brutally clear:

1. Get Legal Help ASAP: This is crucial. Don’t wait. Find a good solicitor or lawyer who specializes in probate and estate administration. You need help navigating the legal side of things – especially if, like me, you were caught completely off guard.

2. Inventory EVERYTHING: This one's vital for tax purposes and to help you understand what you are dealing with. I wish I'd known this sooner. Keep records of everything. Seriously, everything.

3. Talk to Someone: Don't bottle it up. Talk to a therapist, a grief counselor, your friends, family… whoever will listen. Grief is heavy and isolating. Reaching out is strength, not weakness. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is where my friends really stepped up.

4. Take Care of Yourself: This sounds obvious, but in the midst of chaos, it's easy to forget to eat, sleep, and shower. Self-care is not selfish; it's essential. This is important for your physical and mental health.

5. Remember the Small Things: The small routines and comforts, the little things you used to share with your partner—allow yourself to slowly reintegrate them into your life. For me, it was shopping at Coles. Sounds silly, but it helped.

Losing Mark shattered my world. It was and is utterly devastating. But navigating the practical aspects of his death, as incredibly challenging as it was, taught me resilience, strength, and the unexpected comfort found in the most ordinary places— even Coles. I hope my experience will help someone facing a similar situation. Please, please, learn from my mistakes and be prepared. It's a tough lesson learned the hard way, but maybe sharing my story can help you avoid my pain.