Grief and Decision Fatigue

Some days even simple choices feel overwhelming when you are grieving like what to eat, what to wear, whether to reply to a message or return a call, whether to go to a holiday gathering or stay home. When grief is heavy, every little decision adds up. You can run out of mental energy really fast. Your memory can be impacted and you can be second guessing yourself.

So what can help?

Delay major decisions if you can.
Take one thing at a time or set up small goals like focusing on one meal or one call on one day.
Keep your choices simple. Limit your options and let your routines guides you.
Write it out. Get the decisions out of your head and onto paper.
Ask for decision support from someone.
Be patient with yourself.

If every day feels like running a marathon just to decide what to wear, know that’s a real thing. It comes with grief. And it’s okay to make choices smaller when your mind is already full. Want to talk about some of the decision making issues you may be having? Attend one of our grief groups and find a community of people who understand.

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MONTHLY CALENDAR

View the interactive monthly calendar here. This is where you will find up to date meeting information, zoom links and location information!

THE WEEK AHEAD

Grieving Grandparents is meeting this week due to holiday change
Kingston MA cancelled this month

UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

SADOD’s July PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP Reaching Out with Val Walker: 10 Ways to Build Community When Grieving Tuesday 7/22/25 6:30pm ET In uncertain times, such as when we are grieving, many of us are asking: “How do I make new connections?” Author, bereaved person, rehabilitation consultant, and Psychology Today blogger, Val Walker, will lead a discussion where we will share ideas and real-life success stories of how we can expand and enrich our social life. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/building-community-workshop. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org

Tall Ship Cruise Saturday 8/16/25 12:00 pm. Seaport Boston MA. Set sail with us aboard The Liberty Star, a 67-foot wooden schooner designed as a replica of an 1890s coastal sailing vessel. Limit: 4 tickets per family. Reserve Your Spot HERE

Cost: FREE – but requires a $20 per person deposit. You’ll receive the full deposit back at the event. We ask for this to help us continue offering events like this at no cost to you. Questions? Contact Natalie at 774-955-7752 jeepgirl474@gmail.com We’d love to have you with us for this peaceful and meaningful afternoon on the water.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are looking for volunteers to staff our grief support resource tables for the many International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) events that are coming up. Please let us know if you can help out at any of these IOAD events by completing this sign up form. More to come!

Aug 28th @ 6:30pm - Canton, MA

Aug 29th @9:00am - Boston MA

UPCOMING MEMORIALS & VIGILS AROUND MA

GRIEF RESEARCH STUDY

Study Title: Coping with grief: A multivariate longitudinal study

Invitation to Participate
If you are 18 years or older and have experienced the death of a significant person in your life at least 3 months ago, you are invited to take part in a survey about your grief experience.

REGISTER HERE

This is study is not associated with The Sun Will Rise. Direct any questions to Dr. Joanne Cacciatore at jcaccia@asu.edu

FREE OVERDOSE LOSS GRIEF CAMP INFO

COMFORT ZONE CAMP: This camp is for children ages 7 to 17 (18, if still in high school) who have experienced overdose death. September 12-14, 2025 at Camp Ramah in Wingdale, NY Contact Becky Sewell with any questions. bsewell@comfortzonecamp.org

REGISTER HERE

HALO INITIATIVES: FAMILY OVERDOSE SUPPORT FUND

Boston Residents! If you are a BOSTON resident who has experienced the death of a family member to overdose within the last 2 years, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support. Apply here.