Any woman who has chosen to have an abortion will tell you it wasn’t an easy decision. They may have felt it was necessary, but it wasn’t a simple choice.
Rarely do women talk about their abortions. They fear being judged or shunned. They feel isolated and don’t know if they can or should share their experience.
As a result, their silent suffering continues, and the pain hangs on, but healing is possible. Comfort and encouragement are available at Choices. Not only will you receive medical follow-up care, but we also have women ready to talk with you.
Please reach out to us and let us know how we can assist you. Everyone grieves differently, and you and your story are important to us. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions for self-care.
Don’t Let Your Thoughts Betray You
It’s vital to realize that feeling grief over your abortion is a perfectly valid emotion. Grief is not marked by time. There is no limit to when or how long you should recover from a loss.
Our thought life is often our worst enemy. Our emotions keep the voices in our heads from letting us move forward. Those voices may say:
- You made the choice. Therefore, you have no right to grieve.
- You don’t deserve to be loved.
- You’re being punished for what you did.
- If others knew, they would never forgive you.
The truth is, there are healthy ways to cope with the grief you feel. Instead of drowning yourself in the “what ifs,” find the truth in “what is.” Don’t succumb to the negative thoughts. Those thoughts do not define who you are.
Grief can come in waves, and you may experience a range of emotions, including relief, guilt, and sadness. Allow yourself to feel those emotions, but remind yourself that those feelings are part of the healing process.
Treat Your Heart Like a Cell Phone Battery
When your phone’s battery runs out, there’s nothing more you can do until you plug it in and recharge. Sometimes life, the people around us, negative relationships, and difficult memories wear our heart’s battery down.
We need to recharge and take time for ourselves. It’s crucial to step away from the routine, the difficult people in our lives, and painful memories. Permit yourself to say, “I’ve had enough. I need time for myself.”
Find those things you love that energize you. Do you enjoy music? Do you have a favorite hobby or a place where you find peace? If you haven’t yet discovered what recharges your battery, begin exploring what interests you.
Finding peace or joy doesn’t mean you are forgetting your loss. It means you are accepting it and moving forward. Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising help your physical and emotional health.
Don’t Isolate Yourself
Having an abortion in and of itself can make you feel isolated. There are very few places where you feel safe talking about it.
The key is to find support where you feel safe and heard. Connecting with women who share the same experiences is vital to your healing journey. You need women who will listen without judging your pain.
At Choices, we understand the grief that reproductive loss can cause. We’re ready to walk with you through your grief and help you find a place of hope and healing, all without cost to you.
To help you process your loss, we offer confidential, even anonymous, phone calls. You can also receive in-person or online support through groups or in one-on-one sessions. Whatever is most comfortable for you is what we will provide.
Our trained advocates will guide you through confidential conversations and, if you like, prayer. We will also recommend more professional help if necessary.
Please connect with us today to begin your healing journey. Fill out our confidential online contact form, or call or text us at (423) 266-8322. You have the courage to move forward; let us set you on the right path.