Gentle tips for navigating period after worrying health news and facing loss of loved one?

[TheMotherShipAhoy]

Please share ideas for how to gently walk oneself through a tricky time -in my case news of serious, and quite possibly terminal, illness in a loved one.

I've been here previously and know the road ahead will be so hard. I'm looking for advice on how to stay afloat in what feels like overwhelming sadness, so I can both be available to my unwell family member, stay present for my DC (who, once this news is out, will be inconsolable), run my home and function at work, all without stiff-upper-lipping it and shutting down emotionally.

I dread that split second when you wake up first thing and you suddenly remember that things have changed forever. Ditto moments in the day when you catch sight of whatever it is you happen to be doing and it seems so utterly trivial and meaningless compared to spending whatever time remains with unwell loved one.

So how to keep on putting one foot in front of the other while the news sinks in?

I’ve been through similar OP, and am now hopefully coming through the other side. Try to take one day at a time and deal with things as they happen rather than think too far ahead, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed.
Remember to focus on your own needs too, this is vital. You can only help someone effectively if you are ok.

Prioritise yourself and DC, yes of course you are worried and naturally concerned about how they will cope. Life is cruel and hard but in my experience my children coped better because they saw me coping.
Remember it’s okay to cry and be upset and fall apart, it’s good actually, so don’t add to a difficult time by trying to be superwoman, I did that, it failed.
Be a bit selfish - sounds counterproductive but you must know your limits and take breaks, you can’t do everything all the time. What helped me was doing practical stuff for my loved one at the times I was struggling emotionally.
Eat well, get fresh air, lots of walks helped me. Be kind to yourself.

Pay full attention to good things (so you have a counter weight against the hard ones). I don't mean big stuff, just little things - a spot of sunshine, a bird in the bird bath, clean sheets. Just give them a second or two to sink in.

You need to give space to each part of your life you mentioned, be there for dc but make sure you get space to process your own feelings, be professional at work but fine to let colleagues know it's tough at home, support your loved one but get professional support as needed. It's a tricky path to navigate but the fact you are processing this concern now means you should be able to find a way

Thank you for those responses (only just popped up on my notifications). It's good to have it reflected back that it really is about one step at a time and finding comfort and reassurance in little things. And that modelling coping helps DC cope.