Is it weird to mentally rehearse saying goodbye to someone?

Many people find themselves mentally preparing for difficult goodbyes, especially when a loved one is facing a serious illness or a long separation. This isn't unusual; it's a way our minds try to cope with anticipated loss and the powerful emotions that come with it. Thinking through these scenarios can sometimes offer a sense of preparedness, even if the actual conversation will always be unique.

Research into anticipatory grief indicates that a significant percentage of individuals, particularly caregivers, experience mental rehearsals of future loss scenarios.

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who mentally rehearses saying goodbye to someone I might lose?

Am I the Only One?

Does everyone mentally rehearse saying goodbye to someone?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to mentally rehearse saying goodbye to someone?

Is It Normal?

Why do I mentally rehearse saying goodbye to someone?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

I saw this thing on my feed about a grandma spending her last weekend in her old farmhouse, like, touching the doorframes and floorboards before the new owners take over on Monday, and honestly, I… …

anticipatory grief

Albright yesterday. …

anticipatory grief

As I trace the gouges on the kitchen doorframe, the ones from Mark's toy truck that Christmas of '78, I wonder if anyone else, after decades of structured existence, feels this acute disarticulation… …

anticipatory grief

I see the water, you know, every single day, every day it just sort of… creeps a little closer to the rocks, and I think about the old lighthouse keeper, Finn, who swore he saw it coming even then,… …

anticipatory grief

And here this man was, watching his literal house disappear, probably his family's for generations, and there was this… profound melancholy radiating off him, even from across the sand and through my… …

anticipatory grief

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I keep imagining saying goodbye to my loved one?▾
Repeatedly imagining this scenario often stems from a deep concern for your loved one and a natural desire to prepare for a difficult emotional event. It's a way your mind tries to anticipate and manage future feelings.
Does mentally preparing for loss make it easier?▾
While mentally preparing might offer a sense of readiness, the actual experience of loss remains profoundly personal and challenging. It can, however, help you consider what you want to express when the time comes.
What if I feel guilty about rehearsing goodbyes?▾
Feeling guilty is a common reaction, but it's important to remember that these thoughts are not a wish for anything to happen. They are often a sign of how much you care and how deeply you're affected by the prospect of loss.

Have your own experience to share?

Share Your Story