8 Emotional Consequences That Change Us Forever After Losing a Parent

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We will never be the same...

As we grow older, we face pain and loss, but the death of a parent stands apart. Nothing can prepare us for the deep despair that strikes us to the core when we lose a mom or dad.

Unfortunately, we all at some point in our lives experience the loss of our parents. Although I personally find it hard to call them "dead" because they live on in our hearts. Some believe that they leave us only to be reborn in another time, place and body. However, despite this belief, we must accept that we will never see them again as they were. All that remains are old photographs, memories and gifts.

Here are 8 emotional aftereffects that change us forever after this significant loss.

1. The attitude towards people has changed

The loss of a parent turns our world upside down in many ways. We suddenly feel like helpless children who have been left alone. We can no longer turn to them in times of need or feel their comforting touch. We lose not only their love, but also the world of words, gestures and affection they gave us. This loss is deeply felt throughout our lives. One of the hardest experiences is hearing others complain about their parents. Only after losing a mother or father do we truly understand their significance and regret not having spent more time with them, despite their shortcomings and mistakes.

"I'm afraid of one thing in the world, that I'll come home one day, say "Mom, I'm home," and in response I'll hear only silence..." Akio Morita

2. You often have an overwhelming feeling that things will never be the same again.

Losing a parent can leave you with a deep sense of hopelessness and a belief that life will never be the same again. This feeling becomes especially powerful when you realize how much their absence affects your life. You wonder how you will live on without them, facing unanswered questions and a pervasive sense of emptiness.

3. A feeling of guilt appeared

When we lose our parents, we feel an inexplicable sense of guilt. We feel like we didn't do enough to keep them alive. This guilt manifests itself in many ways: we didn't pay enough attention to them, we said harsh words, or we hurt them. We feel like we did something wrong, and it weighs heavily on us. If they were alive, we would visit them more often, call them more often, hug them more often. But the truth is, it's not our fault, it's just the way life works out.

4. A sudden feeling of loneliness that no one can replace

Parents occupy a unique and irreplaceable place in our lives. Their absence leaves a void that no one else can fill. You may want to call them and share your thoughts, but you will hear a reminder that they are no longer there. Their voices, once a source of inspiration, now remain only in your memory.

“When we become happy, we call our friends less often, and when we become unhappy, we call our mother more often.” Jean Baudrillard

5. You feel like a piece of your soul has left with your parent.

After losing a parent, everything changes irrevocably. We feel abandoned, as if a piece of our soul is missing. This unresolved grief can lead to illness, chronic fatigue, irritability, or depression.

Our parents are our first great love, and their absence leaves a void that no one else can fill, even if our relationship with them was difficult. This sense of loss is present even in those who did not know their parents well or lost them at an early age.

6. You cling to every memory of them and try to live the way they wanted you to.

You always knew your parents wouldn’t be around forever, but their death brings a new level of understanding. The memories they left behind are priceless, and you strive to live in a way that makes them proud. Finding comfort in faith or knowing that they are watching over you can provide comfort and help you continue to live each day in a way that honors their legacy.

7. Conversations with them

Even though our parents are gone, we often talk to them as if they can hear us. This is ironic because when they were alive, we might have been annoyed by their frequent calls. After losing them, we feel an unbreakable bond and continue to share with them and turn to them for advice as if they were still there.

8. The significance of events and successes decreases

Achievements and successes can lose their luster without your parents to share them with. Their support and pride used to give your successes real meaning. Now you miss their presence even more during moments of achievement, feeling unmotivated to celebrate as you once did.

Over time, everything will change...

Over time, the pain will not be as severe.

At first, losing a parent can make us feel helpless. We feel like we’ll never get over the loss. But over time, the pain begins to subside. If we allow ourselves to, remembering our departed parent can become a source of strength. Knowing that their spirit is with us in our daily lives can help us move forward. They become our guardian angels, providing guidance and support.

Mom, Dad, I love you..