The grieving process is only intensified when you pull away and isolate yourself from others. Remind yourself of the people still here and that they, too, lost an important family member. Fight the desire to pull away or appear strong and seek comfort from loved ones who are also mourning. If you have religious or spiritual beliefs, now is the time to search out those verses or quotes that remind you that things will get better soon. Participating in religious/spiritual functions can further help you find closure, connect with others, and provide you with hope for the future.  Research has shown that people with strong spiritual beliefs--because of the principles described about human life and existence beyond--tend to resolve their grief sooner than those who do not.  If you are a non-believer, secular rituals, such as packing up grandma's things or regularly visiting her grave, could help you resolve your grief and find comfort. A bereavement support group can help you and other family members come to terms with the loss. In the groups, you will be able to listen to and share your own feelings and stories with others who are also grieving. These support groups will provide coping resources for overcoming grief over the next several weeks and months after the death. If you find that you continue to heavily mourn the death and cannot function in your daily life, you may need to seek professional help. A grief or bereavement counselor can be effective with helping you process the loss of your grandmother and learn how to properly cope.

Summary: Spend time with family. Turn to your faith. Join a support group. Go see a grief counselor.


Often times over the years clothes can become piled up without you even realizing it.  The first step to sort this all out is to get all of your clothes out from your dresser, closet, attic, and below your bed.  Lay everything out, either across your floor, or on top of your bed.  Begin to pair things together, based on color, size, and fabric.  Once you have started to make categories, place each of your articles in select piles. Begin to match box and suitcase sizes.  If you have a relatively small pile of specific articles, you can pair that pile with a smaller box.  Some of the larger piles might have to be matched with a suitcase or larger box. This is the perfect time to try on some of the old in your closet that you haven't worn in ten years.  Check the clothes for mildew, moth balls, flees, bedbugs, etc.  Smell them to see if they have a musty scent.  Determine whether or not they are outdated.  After you search through your closet/cupboard, you should have a pile of outdated, outgrown, and worn out clothes to throw away.  Run your fingernail overtop of the fabric.  This will help loosen any bugs, or bedbug fecal matter (dried blood) which is present on your clothes.  It is best to dispose of these clothes, especially if they are old and haven't been worn in a while. Donate clothing that is still in good shape and does not fit you or is not appropriate for the climate in your new home.  Many people like to take clothes to Goodwill or homeless shelters. Throw out clothing that is torn, stained or too worn to wear in public.  This is especially true when it comes to any old underwear and socks which have been crammed in your dresser drawer for many years. You will probably not finish all of your unpacking on the first day of your move, so keep a small bag with a few changes of clothes that you can use when you first arrive at your new home.  Remember to leave out an outfit for moving day as well, and include undergarments and socks. Pack the items you need upon arrival to your new home in a separate container.  This could include not just clothes, but also toothbrushes, deodorant, hairspray, etc. When you move, chances are you will have to move glassware, dishes, etc.  Wrap these items in some of those clothes you were going to throw away.  Find specific items which fit the shape and size of what you want to wrap.  If there are elongated items you can place them in pants legs.  If it is a wide plate you wish to wrap, place it in the body of a shirt.  Carefully stack these items on top of one another, or side-to-side.  Do not throw the items down and break them. You can also add extra layers of old clothes in between the items when you start packing them up.  Add a shirt, or an extra pair of pants, in between the items. Pack your glasses or stemware in knee high socks. If you are taking your dresser with you when you move, you can leave some of the items in the drawers.  You should leave lightweight items like underwear, socks, t-shirts, etc., while taking out sweatpants, jeans, coats, etc.  You then have the choice of taking your dresser as a whole or breaking it down into its component parts.  Get people who are big, or who have upper body strength to move the dresser.  If your drawers are generally loose, with no locking mechanism, it it best to remove the drawers.  You will want to wrap each of the drawers separately, with a large container of plastic wrap.  Go around the drawer in both directions, multiple times.  Do this until the drawer has been completely wrapped, and all of the contents are secure. If you decide to take the dresser as a whole, you will want to secure the drawers.  Take a bungee cord and wrap it all the way around the dresser, overtop of one of the drawers.  Hook the two ends of the bungee cord.  Then take more bungee cords and wrap it around the other drawers, all the way around the dresser. Safely secure the dresser in the moving van.  You can either use bungee cords or lifting straps.  Tightly wrap them around your dresser and secure them to the base/side of your truck (on the inside).

Summary: Lay out and sort your clothes. Get rid of unnecessary items. Put aside clothing you will need immediately. Use old clothing to package breakable items. Leave some items in your dresser drawers.


Select a contour color and/or matte bronzer that is one or two shades deeper than your skin tone. For the highlighter, choose a color that is slightly lighter than your natural complexion.  Cream and powder are both acceptable choices for contouring your face. Cream provides a glossier texture on your face, while powder provides a matte look. A makeup blending brush is recommended for applying the makeup. Effective brushing ensures proper blending and avoids streaky makeup. Alter your hairstyle to better accentuate your cheeks, or to give your face an overall thinner appearance. Pulling your hair back into a ponytail, parting your hair on the side instead of the middle and adding volume to the crown of your head all help your face appear thinner.
Summary: Purchase materials. Change your hairstyle (Optional).