Episode 2: Navigating Guilt and Emotional Conflicts

In this episode of 'A Guide to After Life', Dr. Monika Wieliczko discusses the complexities of dating after loss, focusing on the feelings of guilt that often accompany the desire to move forward. She emphasises that these feelings are normal and offers practical steps to navigate them with compassion. The conversation explores how to honour the memory of a late partner while embracing new relationships, and the importance of self-compassion in the healing process.

This episode is part of our special Dating After Loss mini-series, where I guide you through the emotional and practical steps to prepare yourself for a new relationship. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to pause here and complete the "Are You Ready for a Relationship After Loss?" quiz at www.guidetoafterlife.com/dating. It only takes a couple of minutes, and you’ll receive a personalized grief-friendly dating guide. I’ll be referring to the tasks in that guide throughout this series—so be sure to download it and follow along.

• Guilt is a common emotion experienced during grief.
• It's possible to cherish the love you lost while seeking new love.
• Talking about feelings can be healing and transformative.
• Grief is a complicated process that varies for everyone.
• You deserve to pursue happiness and love after loss.
• Navigating guilt requires acknowledging and processing emotions.
• It's important to recognize that emotions are not always logical.
• Writing a letter to a late spouse can be a powerful exercise.
• You cannot control how others feel about your decisions.
• Self-compassion is key in the journey of dating after loss.