In this blog, I share my personal experiences in the hope that they might help people who are struggling with pet loss grief.
Today, I want to talk about how to deal with times when negative thinking just won’t stop.
Just to be clear—I’m not a psychiatrist or mental health professional. What I share here is only based on my own experiences.
It’s Normal to Feel Negative After Losing a Pet
I’ve said goodbye to pets several times in my life. After the very first loss, I fell into a deep state of pet loss grief.
I’ve never been the type of person with a strong mental state. If anything, I lean more toward negative thinking. At that time, I had no knowledge, no coping strategies, and eventually even developed depression.
When someone loses their beloved pet, it’s almost impossible to stay positive. It’s normal to feel broken, to feel like you’ve lost your support, or to wonder how you can go on living.
Looking back now, I realize those thoughts are a common response. It’s not just because of my personality—everyone goes through this in some way.
Realizing that “this is normal” was my first step toward healing.
When Negative Thinking Keeps Coming Back
The problem is, when you’re the one experiencing grief, you can’t be objective. The negative thoughts keep growing stronger.
And they often extend beyond the loss itself.
- Some people feel like quitting their job.
- Others find themselves fighting constantly with family.
- Some even say they want to follow their pet into death.
I’ve had customers share these same struggles with me. And I myself once sank further and further into negativity.
Even though I’ve overcome depression today, I still have a naturally anxious and negative side. I worry about my work, my customers, my future, and my family. These worries repeat endlessly and sometimes even make me feel sick.
What Helps Me: Practicing Mindfulness
That’s why I practice mindfulness.
The truth is, no matter how much we wish, our pets won’t come back. The fact of their death doesn’t change. But carrying the pain forever is simply too heavy.
With mindfulness, I can’t change the situation, but I can change how I feel about it.
This has been a lifeline for me.
On my blog, I share both methods and personal stories about mindfulness. If you’re interested, please check out the “Mindfulness” section for more details.
What I Want to Share With You
- Knowing that negative thoughts are normal.
- Trying mindfulness as a way to lighten your heart.
- Accepting that while the situation won’t change, your feelings can change—and you can move forward.
Through my work of creating custom pet memorial goods, I talk with so many people about their grief. Honestly, sometimes I spend more time listening than actually making.
But when customers call me in tears to say thank you, or write long heartfelt emails, I feel how much this work matters.
Since I can’t talk one-on-one with everyone, I’ll continue sharing my own experiences here on this blog.
And today, once again, I’m creating an order-made knitted cushion—“My Pet Hug Pillow”—while listening to the voices of those grieving their beloved pets.
