i . introdution Due to the recent event, almost every single cat in TFC has lost their home. My own character, Russetcrown, is included in this vast majority, so I took it upon myself to research the effects it would have on him. Here is what I concluded. ii . initial loss Homes have more meaning than simply being a place where one lives at. Most develop a sincere attachment to their homes and the objects that reside within it. A home is an important part of one's identity. When this is destroyed, the mental effects are devastating. The majority of reactions to losing a home that occured generally included some forms of shock, anger, sleep disorders, depression, and hopelessness. The emotions that people felt can even be comparable to those of losing a loved one. No one is just 'okay' with losing their home. The experience is traumatic. (Please note there may be exceptions). People may also experience grief for their material possesions, especially if some had a special meaning to them. Possesions provide a sense of security and nostalgia to its possesor. They are connections to the past, to people. Losing them is like losing those connections. It's not easy to get over losing a home and its memories. Research shows that symptoms can stay within adults for months or years. It's a slow process and one that must be respected by friends and family. According to RMIT School of Health lecturer James Collett, "Well-meaning friends and family members can invalidate the feelings of someone who has lost their home in a roundabout way, by suggesting to them that it’s not “as bad” to lose possessions compared to lives." Be understanding of those who have lost their home. It can make a life-saving difference. iii . children Children don't experience grief in the same way that adults do. This is also true for the grief of losing a home. Many children experienced sleep disorders, frequent nightmares, anxiety, and self-destructive behaviors. To cope with this, they may also speak to an adult or older sibling for guidance. This means its important to be understanding and kind to children who have suffered. Do not vent your feelings of hopelessness or anger to them as it will only worsen their condition. Children are very impressionable and will react to losing a home in similar ways to the adults around them. iv . getting over it It may take time to get over the loss of a home. This is okay, but it isn't a justification to wallow in despair. Self-care is extremely important in a crisis. There are plenty of things one can do. It can be things as simple as meditation, breathing excersises, eating healthy, spending time with friends and family, and focusing on the positives. Others can be harder for some people, but they are equally as important. It can be extremely beneficial to allow oneself to cry or release negative emotions in a healthy manner, to also allow oneself to feel good from time to time in spite of the situation, to put off major life descisions, and to lower one's expectations of what they "should be doing." It takes time to adapt in the face of adversity, but after time and self-reflection, it's more than possible. Loss does not define a person. What defines a person is what they do with their life. Even if one's home is destroyed, there's so much they can do with their life such as helping to rebuild and participating in communtiy projects. Thank you for reading.
Sources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/returning-home/201105/what-if-your-home-were-suddenly-gone https://www.domain.com.au/news/they-werent-being-permitted-to-grieve-the-psychology-of-losing-a-home-920018/ https://www.apa.org/topics/disasters-response/residential-fire
