My partner died seven years ago. It was sudden, cancer. We were together for 21 years. She was also my only close friend.
Since then I’ve been on my own. After she died, my health declined, frequent infections, some requiring surgery. Energy and resilience have never really recovered.
I’m still parenting. I keep going. I’ve just started social prescribing and talking therapy. It might help. But I’m not sure what “joy” is supposed to look like anymore.
I’ve lost interest in all the things I used to care about. New things don’t appeal. I know people often suggest trying a new hobby or picking up a fresh obsession, but for me, it hasn’t worked. Nothing sticks. Most things feel hollow.
What I’m trying to understand is: can joy or real engagement return after long-term grief and loneliness? Not just distraction, but something that actually feels alive and connected again.
If anyone has lived through something similar and found a way forward, I’d be interested to know what helped.
Thanks.