First birthday after the death of your father: How To cope

It's your first birthday since your father died. You don't know how to cope. You feel lost, alone, and scared. Maybe you feel like you're betraying your father by celebrating a birthday without him. But you have to keep going. Here are some tips on how to cope with the death of your father and celebrate your first birthday.

Acknowledge your feelings

It's okay to be sad, scared, or angry on your birthday. You may feel like you're not supposed to be happy without your father. But it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling. Acknowledge your emotions and give yourself time to grieve.

The grieving process is not linear, so even if you feel like you've been doing a lot better, something like a birthday can give rise to some uncomfortable feelings. Rather than hiding from them or trying to deny that they are there, embrace the feelings and all that they bring.

Talk about your father

Talking is a great way to process your feelings and start to process your loss. It can also help you to understand the many emotions you might be feeling. Remember the good times you had with him. Tell stories about him to your friends and family. Keeping his memory alive will help you feel connected to him.

Lots of people feel guilty for laughing after death, but you really shouldn't. Laughing, telling jokes and sharing funny memories are all excellent ways to take the sting out of your loss and make things feel more manageable.

Do something to honour your father

Plant a tree in his memory, make a donation in his name or do something else that would make him proud. Some people like to do an incredible feat like running a marathon for charity, but you don't have to go to such extreme lengths. Something as simple as planting a tree or dedicating a bench to the memory of your father can be equally comforting.

Physical challenges like marathons or climbing a mountain can be incredibly difficult but also incredibly rewarding. It can feel like your dad is there with you the whole time, and it can also help to keep you busy, healthy and occupied. You'll need to train for these types of events, so this can be a healthy way to channel your grief.

Spend time with people who make you happy

Surround yourself with people who love and support you. They'll help you get through this tough time. Your birthday can be a difficult day, and no doubt your friends will want to be there to celebrate with you. Let them know you'd like a low-key and respectful affair, but that you would still like to observe it.

Make your own traditions.

One of the hardest parts about celebrating your birthday after the loss of your father is when you have birthday traditions with him. This can make the day even more difficult, and you'll have three choices. You can either stop the traditions, continue the traditions, or make new traditions.

Creating new traditions that you can do on your birthday is probably the healthiest option. This will help you feel like you're in control of your life and your birthday. You can start traditions involving other people or make them solo traditions.

Some ideas for new traditions include

- going for a walk in nature

- making a cake and eating it with friends

- writing a letter to your dad

- watching your favourite movie

- visiting his grave

- donating to a charity in his name

Your birthday is a day to remember your father, but it's also a day to celebrate your life. After he passed away, you might feel like you're not supposed to be happy. But it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling. Acknowledge your emotions and give yourself time to grieve. Remember the good times you had with him, but know that you also need to give yourself space to move on.

Focus on the present

Try to enjoy the moment and focus on the here and now. Don't dwell on what's happened in the past or what might happen in the future. Just be present and enjoy the day. One way to do this is by living in the moment and savouring the good moments as they happen. Another way to focus on the present is to do something that makes you happy. This could be anything from reading a book to going for a run to spending time with friends and family.

Your birthday is a special day, so make sure to treat it as such. Even though it might be difficult, try to focus on the positive and enjoy the day. Celebrate your life and all that you have accomplished. Remember, your father would want you to be happy.

Be gentle with yourself

Don't expect too much from yourself. Give yourself time to grieve and heal. You're going to have good days and bad days. Just take it one day at a time. Don't try to put on a brave face for everyone else. You need to do what's best for you. 

If you decide you can't face a big celebration, communicate this to friends and family. Be wary of those people in your life who might try to plan a surprise for you. Simply let them know that you are not ready.

Your birthday is a difficult day, but it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Remember to take care of yourself, focus on the present and make new traditions. Most importantly, don't forget to celebrate your life. After all, that's what your father would want.

Celebrating your first birthday after the death of your father can be difficult. But by acknowledging your feelings, talking about your father, and doing something to honour him, you can get through it. Surround yourself with people who make you happy and focus on the present moment. And finally, make sure you are gentle with yourself and take things one day at a time.