It has been three years since my beloved cat, Maro, crossed the rainbow bridge.
You’d think that after so much time, the pain would ease—but recently, waves of sadness and loneliness have returned. Writing like this helps me find a bit of calm, but eventually, the anxiety creeps back in again.
Today, I want to try looking at this emotional struggle from a different perspective—not just through the lens of pet loss.
What’s Really Causing the Anxiety?
Like many of you, I loved my pet deeply. That love is likely what makes this emptiness so overwhelming.
Maro was more than a pet—he was like an older brother I looked up to. Since he passed, I’ve found myself falling into moments of anxiety and emotional instability.
But sometimes, the sadness and worry we feel after losing a pet may not be caused only by pet loss. Other life stressors might get tangled up with our grief, making everything feel heavier.
So I asked myself: Are there other sources of my anxiety?
And I realized—yes, there are quite a few.
- Will I be able to continue running this small business creating pet memorial gifts?
- How long will my aging parents stay healthy and well?
- What about my own health as I get older?
Suddenly, I’m overwhelmed by these worries, and in that moment I catch myself thinking:
“If only Maro were still here.”
That thought pattern made me stop and reflect. And now, I try to tell myself this:
Whether Maro is here or not, life’s challenges will always be there.
But Maro lives on in my heart—and whenever I think of him, I feel his support.
Writing Helps Calm the Heart
Even now, I can’t fully sort out these emotions in my head. That’s why I’m putting them into words here.
If you’re feeling the same way, I encourage you to write too.
It could be a private journal entry or even a private post on social media.
Just writing something—anything—can bring a little peace to your heart.
Letting Go of What We Can’t Control
I once read a line in a book that stuck with me:
“If something is out of your control, don’t waste your energy thinking about it.”
I don’t remember the exact quote, but the message was clear:
When we keep dwelling on things we can’t change, our thoughts tend to spiral in a negative direction. Instead, we should stop overthinking and try to find a new way forward.
That message resonates deeply with me.
Worrying about my parents’ health or my future doesn’t solve anything.
And yet, I sometimes connect those worries with my grief over losing my cat, Maro—and end up hurting myself even more.
Pet Loss Isn’t the Only Source of Pain
As I create custom pet memorial gifts, I often speak with customers who are going through the pain of pet loss.
Many of them open up to me about their emotions.
(And honestly, those conversations often bring Maro back to my mind too.)
But as we talk, I realize that many customers are also carrying other burdens—beyond pet loss.
Some are caring for aging parents.
Others are struggling with loneliness, depression, or complicated relationships.
And yet, as they share their thoughts with me, I can see their emotions slowly begin to settle.
That’s why I try to make time for these conversations.
If simply listening can help ease someone’s pain, I want to be there for them—not just as a creator, but as a fellow human being who understands.
A Way to Instantly Ease Anxiety
There are moments when anxiety seems to vanish in an instant.
Of course, the trigger for that relief is different for everyone.
For me, it might happen when I meet someone I care about, talk with a friend, do something fun, or find a new goal to work toward.
In those moments, I break free from the heaviness of anxiety and feel a surge of energy to move forward.
Of course, the anxiety often returns later—but I’ve learned that this cycle is normal.
Is Anxiety Just a Misunderstanding?
I try to remind myself that much of my anxiety might simply be a misunderstanding—an illusion I’ve convinced myself is real.
For example, while I may be worrying about my aging parents’ future, they might be happily enjoying life right now.
While I worry about the future of my business, my staff continues to create our memorial products with passion and pride.
Some people say that the future depends entirely on how hard we work today.
But I believe that luck also plays a big role in shaping our lives.
And I’ve come to believe that luck is something we can attract.
So I quietly hope that good fortune finds its way to me.
And just maybe—it’s Maro who’s helping guide that luck into my life.
That thought gives me strength to keep going today, and every day.
My Cat Maro.
Memorial goods that we are knitting.
A Step Toward Happiness
Lately, I’ve been trying to see things this way:
“The struggles I’m facing now are simply part of the journey toward future happiness. If I keep walking this path, joy is waiting for me ahead.”
Truthfully, I already have so much to be grateful for—but I still find myself cycling through moments of anxiety and emotional exhaustion.
And yet, every step I take is leading me toward a more peaceful, happy time—a place where fear no longer weighs me down.
Losing a beloved pet can shake your emotional balance.
That kind of grief is completely natural.
Rather than resisting the flow of those emotions, I try to gently stay on course—reminding myself that I haven’t strayed from the path to healing and happiness.
With that in mind, I pick up my yarn again today and continue creating memorial pieces filled with love and memories from each customer’s heart.
