Despite the maelstrom you are now in, it will settle in some way. Take one day at a time. You will find a new, regular way of life soon enough however life as you once knew it has changed.
You will see your partner/significant other in a whole new light. It will make you stronger as a couple and even at your darkest points, something will happen and you'll pick each other up. Even when one of you wants to leave you'll be able to dig deep and keep going.
Not everyone wants to 'get it'. Some people will never understand nor show empathy towards your changing family situation. Unfortunately, not everyone has the capacity to understand and accept change. You will though, because to keep moving forward, you will have to. These other people will be left behind, and you know what? That's ok and after a while you'll realise they weren't supposed to be along for the ride!
You will now have the space in your life to make wonderful new friends who share your vision and experience of your changing family landscape.
You will adapt to this new way of life over time. You will go through the roller-coaster of emotions of grief; you have lost a way of life that you had envisioned and you are now getting used to your new reality. Grief may hit you at odd times, sit with it.
Take all the time you need to grieve. Ignore the comments from others may not realise that by saying 'you should be grateful because it could be a whole lot worse' is actually a shitty thing to say. Because, well, it is a whole lot worse at the moment, because your life has changed, as has your child's, and that is what you are adapting to.
You will celebrate again! The small milestones will be huge and take it from me, shout from the roof tops because it's worth celebrating!
Your child will help you understand the term unconditional love. People throw that term around like it's confetti. But until you live it, it's just words.
