The day of his mother’s funeral, King Charles granted a bank holiday.
The vibe on Monday is likely to be more sombre than other bank holidays, because you may have been given the day off work. The majority of us never met the Queen, but we shouldn’t underestimate the feeling of collective grief that many are feeling.
“Grief can manifest itself in many different ways, including anxiety, feeling low, anger and irritation, so going slowly and being self-awareness of these feelings as they come and go, can help us to let them move rather than adding tension through resistance.”
It is important to take it slow on a sad day because you might not have any feelings about the event that has caused the grief. During the day, try to find pockets of time when you can bring joy or peace into your day; these moments add up and can be beneficial even if they feel forced.
Many businesses are going to close their doors on Monday, including supermarkets, museums, cafes and pubs. The TV networks are changing their schedule. This bank holiday is going to be a lot more low-key than usual.
What are we supposed to do on Monday?
It is important to highlight that honouring how you are feeling is a healthy way to experience grief. It might be a good idea to give yourself some time to reflect on how you’re feeling. Spending time with people that are important to you might be part of the process. It could be getting back in touch with someone you haven’t seen in a while, or someone you need some support from.
Whether you want to reflect on the life of the Queen or just want to have fun, here are a few ideas.