How to Rebuild After Losing Everything
Life can hit hard, leaving you with nothing. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, a job, a home, or gone through a divorce, you know how tough starting over can be. It may feel impossible, but recovery is possible, with time, support, and the right steps.
In Shattered, Yet Unbroken, Gloria loses her husband to a mass shooting, then everything else in a fire (her home, belongings, and sense of stability). Suddenly homeless with two kids, she faces a tough new reality. But with the right support and resources, Gloria slowly rebuilds her life.
If you’ve lost everything, know that you’re not alone, and you can start over. This article offers simple, step-by-step guides to help you start again, no matter how hopeless you feel. Keep reading for practical support and hope.
Steps to Rebuild After Losing Everything
1. Acknowledge the Loss
Accepting what happened is the first step to healing. Life can change suddenly, and sometimes, for no clear reason. It’s okay to feel angry, sad, overwhelmed, or even hopeless. These emotions are valid.
Give yourself permission to grieve. Don’t rush the process; healing takes time.
For Gloria, it wasn’t easy. She struggled to face her loss until a session with Dr. Avery helped her open up. That moment of honesty became the beginning of her healing and growth.
Take it one day at a time. You're allowed to feel what you feel. And when you're ready, acceptance can help you move forward.
2. Seek Immediate Shelter and Safety
Your safety and that of your loved ones are essential. After losing your home, try to find a safe place to stay as soon as possible. Reach out to local shelters, churches, or community centers as they often provide temporary housing and support.
Don’t be afraid to seek support from family, friends, and anyone you can trust. A few nights of stability can help you start thinking clearly and planning for your next steps.
Gloria’s first step after the fire was finding a safe place. She and her children moved into a shelter, where they stayed for a while. It wasn’t easy, but it gave them a roof over their heads and a place to breathe.
3. Speak to a Counselor or Support Group
Getting mental and emotional support is as critical as finding a place to stay. At the shelter, Gloria met with the in-house therapist, Dr. Avery. This session gave her a safe space to talk, unpack her emotions, rediscover herself, and begin to heal. It was a turning point for her.
Many communities offer free counseling or trauma support groups for people who’ve been through a crisis. You don’t have to carry the weight alone; talking to someone can help you feel seen, supported, and stronger day by day.
4. Set Long-Term Goals, But Stay Flexible
After handling the basics, start thinking about the future. It can be going back to school, finding a new job, or getting a place to call home.
Your life might look different now, but it can still be meaningful and fulfilling. Just like Gloria, you can turn your life around.
At the shelter, Karen told Gloria about an education entry initiative by The Rebuild program that could help her pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a robotics engineer. Alongside that, Gloria also set other long-term goals of finding a stable home and returning to work.
Take it step by step. Your dreams are still possible even after losing it all. Stay hopeful and keep moving forward.
5. Get A Job or Income Support
Getting back on your feet financially is an important step if you want to rebuild. Look for job placement services, resume help, or temporary work programs in your area. If you’re eligible, you can apply for unemployment benefits or government aid for some relief while you search.
With the help of Karen, the shelter manager, Gloria applied for a job at Techforce Industries, which gave her hope and a way to support her family.
You don’t have to do it alone, there are people and programs ready to help you take that next step toward stability.
6. Get an Education
Education can be a powerful step toward rebuilding your life. Whether it's finishing school or taking a short course, it opens new doors.
After dropping out of college following her husband’s death, Gloria decided to go back to school through the Rebuild initiative. This brought her one step closer to her dream of becoming a robotics engineer.
Look for free or low-cost programs offered by community centers, NGOs, or online platforms. It’s never too late to start again. Learning something new can build your confidence and lead to a brighter future.
7. Get a Stable Housing Solution
Having a safe and stable place to live is a big step toward rebuilding. Look into transitional housing, low-income housing, or rent assistance programs in your area.
Shelter staff, social workers, or local NGOs can help you find options and guide you through the application process. You don’t have to do it alone.
With support, Gloria secured a modest two-bedroom unit in a complex in Reseda. After months in a crowded shelter, it felt like a palace. Having her own space gave her privacy and the peace she needed to focus on healing and moving forward.
8. Celebrate Small Wins
Every little progress made is worth celebrating. Whether it’s getting through a tough day, landing an interview, or simply feeling hopeful again, celebrate it. These small steps add up and show that you’re moving forward.
You may not be exactly where you want to be, but you’re no longer where you were. And that’s something to be proud of. Take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come.
Conclusion
The journey isn’t easy, but through the pain, there’s room to grow, heal, and rediscover joy. Like Gloria, you can rebuild and chase your dreams, no matter what you’ve lost.
If you're ready to start or simply need support, Deliverance Charities is here to guide you with clarity, care, and purpose.
Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 anytime. For housing help, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website.
Take a step forward; you’re stronger than you think.