Father’s Day without dad can be a tricky occasion to navigate, especially if it’s your first. What was once a day filled with gifts, quality time, and joy is now an emotional rollercoaster that you never asked to ride. So, to help you get through it, we’ve pulled together some suggestions on how you can honour your dad, take care of yourself, and maybe even create some new happy memories. While we can’t promise you won’t feel every emotion under the sun, we can offer some tips on how you can make the day a little more manageable.
First, why not carry on the tradition of writing a Father’s Day card? Many people find this therapeutic, and while it might feel a little strange at first, it can bring a surprising amount of comfort:
And if you’re struggling to find the right words, we’ve pulled together some happy heavenly Father’s Day wishes for you to jot down too.
How to spend Father’s Day without your dad
When Father’s Day comes around, you might feel torn between wanting to honour your dad’s memory or hide under the covers and avoid the whole thing. The good news is, there’s no right or wrong way to go about things, and you can spend the day doing exactly what feels right to you.
1. Honour his memory
If you’re wondering how to spend your first Father’s Day without your dad, why not dedicate some time to honouring his memory? You could spend the morning at his favourite park, grab a meal at his go-to restaurant, or have a wander around his hometown.
Not feeling up to facing the world? No worries, just cosy up on the sofa and press play on one of his favourite movies instead. There are a bunch of different ways to remember your lovely dad (and all the good times you shared).
2. Create a new tradition
Another great way to mark your first Father’s Day without dad is to establish a completely new tradition. Bake a delicious cake, go see a show, or bungee jump if you feel like it (literally anything goes). Just pick an activity that will bring a touch of joy back into the day.
If you’re feeling up to it, you could even plan a big family meal or go on a trip to take your mind off things. Setting a new Father’s Day tradition means that, rather than completely dreading the day, you’ll have a little something to look forward to.
3. Spend time with those who get it
When it feels like the whole world is shouting about how much they love their dads, things can get pretty overwhelming. But you’re certainly not alone.
One of the best ways to navigate missing your dad on Father’s Day is by spending it with those who get it. Meet up with your siblings, take a bunch of flowers to your mum, or enjoy a cuppa in the sunshine with your grandad. Leaning on your loved ones (and vice versa) can help lighten the load when things feel heavy. Try to let your guard down with the people who love and miss your dad just as much as you do.
4. Write your feelings down
If opening up feels like too much, writing things down can be a helpful way to process your thoughts. Whether you go down the old-school pen and paper route with a card or just type things out on your phone, recording your feelings can help you work through them.
For some people, Father’s Day isn’t just about missing a dad they loved deeply either, and it can also bring up difficult feelings about relationships that weren’t necessarily the best. If that’s your experience, it’s definitely okay to feel conflicted. And if a traditional Father’s Day card doesn’t quite fit the situation, our Dad Swap Cards offer an alternative for those who didn’t exactly have a picture-perfect relationship with their dad. Even writing down a few sentences inside can make your emotions feel more manageable.
5. Don’t put pressure on yourself
Lastly (and most importantly) don’t put pressure on yourself to feel or do anything this Father’s Day. Your loss might hit you like a ton of bricks; you might feel anger, sadness, or even nothing at all. Grief is tricky, and there’s definitely no right or wrong way to go about things.
Plant a tree in his honour, buy yourself a gift, write a card, or bury your head under the covers, there are no rules. Oh, and one final reminder: Don’t feel like you need to put on a brave face.
Your first Father’s Day without dad is likely to be a tough one, but it can also be a reminder of all the love, lessons, and laughter you shared.
And if you know someone else who’s lost their dad, drop them a message to let them know you’re thinking of them. If you’re stuck for words, why not allow one of these thoughtful Father’s Day quotes to do all the talking for you?
Lastly, if you’re looking for more insights, just head over to the thortful blog. Over there we’ve pulled together some tips for spending Mother’s Day without mum too.
