Tips for getting through the summer as a young widow

July 2026

Summer isn’t always the carefree season it’s made out to be – especially when you’ve been widowed at a young age. Holidays, family gatherings and long sunny days can bring difficult reminders, as well as pressure to be out enjoying yourself. We asked members of two WAY subgroups – both with and without children – to share their tips for navigating the summer months.

Tips from WAY Members without Children (WAY Wocs)

Jodie: “Don’t be afraid to do things alone. I have come to quite enjoy a solo lunch al fresco. Equally, though, if you attend WAY events, you’ll likely make friends that are in the same boat as you, and are just as eager to get out and about.

I’m lucky enough to have a few different close circles of friends built up through WAY, and my summer holidays are peppered with meet ups with them – whether that be coffee dates, wine tastings or weekends away hiking. Don’t be afraid to stick your hand up and say ‘does anyone fancy doing this?’ … as you’ll usually find someone who’s interested!” 

David: “Find a drink and a place that you feel comfortable with. And just enjoy being comfortable for a while. For me it's an iced coffee and my garden. 

I’ve perfected a recipe for iced coffee, which I make in my blender. I make the coffee in the morning. I add ice and cream to it when I get home. Then I sit in my garden listening to birds, watching the insects and drinking an iced coffee. 

Don't think about what garden work you need to do because you'll never relax, just enjoy being outside.”

Sophie: “For me it’s going out and doing stuff: being in nature, with people; going to WAY events; organising WAY events; joining a running club or cycling group. Going outside my comfort zone and challenging myself. The more I do and the more people I meet the more opportunities arise.” 

Jeanna: “Prior to becoming a widow, I used to take extended time off in the summer holidays to travel and to watch the Tour de France. It was something that became a tradition for me and Wayne. After he died, I was worried about losing my love for travel so took to pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Each year since, I have attended the opening stages of the Tour across Europe. This has helped me continue that tradition but also get to visit new cities that I've not been to before. I do still try and take some extra time off to visit friends and get out camping in my campervan as much as I can over the weekends.”

Lisa: “Avoid happy family filled places such as zoos, the beach, museums etc and go to the garden centre, do gardening, bake, visit antique centres etc.”

Caro: “Go camping in places that are geared for adults rather than kids. There are summer schools for things you fancy learning – crochet, languages etc. Or go on a coach trip – there are lots of other singles on those.” 

Claire: “Make time for extreme day trips, as well as all the usual non summer stuff – like meeting friends, walks, cinema, etc.”

Tips from Alison from our Widowed with Children Working Group 

Alison: “Find some WAY friends with children the same age! Whether it's through local WAY meet ups (many are family friendly) – or if there's nothing in your area, try organising one, or through weekend breaks, finding some families to buddy up with can be amazing support. 

It might not be immediate that you find a family where adults and children all gel and you have similar interests, but it is so amazingly worth it when you do. We've met WAY friends for days out, weekends away and holidays abroad. It's support, company, friendship, an extra pair of hands to help with logistics, and some back up for the awful ‘what if’ scenarios that can run through your head when you’re on your own in a strange place. And it's mutual support – you're both helping each other. Our WAY friends feel like family and we all look forward to seeing each other. 

Lean on the WAY community for support. If you’re finding it tough, there are lots of us who understand.

In the early days, start small and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Start with small trips out – to the park, to get some ice cream, and build up from there. 

It can feel a bit like you're just going through the motions in the early days. The enjoyment comes with time but, at the start, you may just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep the faith it will come right.

If you have family or friends who can support, think about what help you want. Relatives might offer to ‘take the children out’ to give you time to yourself. I really wanted some help and company to do things with my children and take them places that I found difficult on my own.

Think about limiting social media time during the holidays. Scrolling through other people's ‘perfect’ holiday pictures can be so triggering when you’re grieving.”