Jonathan Teo
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jonathantoteo.bsky.social
Jonathan Teo
@jonathantoteo.bsky.social
59 followers 180 following 100 posts
Australian * Widow * Lover of Japan * Born on stolen Lenni Lenape Land * Live on stolen Woiworung Country * He/Him * 🏳️‍🌈

Interested in explowring how we grieve and how various groups, especially the LGBTQIA+ community, confront the concept of death.
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jonathantoteo.bsky.social
Jonathan Teo @jonathantoteo.bsky.social · Feb 1
In Oct '23, after 14 years together, my partner died unexpectedly. I've been grieving his loss for over a year now.

I still miss him everyday. But I am slowly moving forward, trying to create a new path for myself without him whilst honouring all he was to me.

Our 1st & last photos together ⬇️
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death & taxes.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

This quote is only half right. There are plenty of examples in many modern day countries, including Ben’s America & my home of Australia, of individuals that avoid paying taxes.

1/4
November 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
eliaseells.bsky.social
I don’t know if I believe that’s true, but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.
GIN & TONIC IS THE LEAST HARMFUL ALCOHOLIC DRINK, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS.-.
November 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
alisoncybe.bsky.social
The Salvation Army are a hate group. Do not forget that this winter.
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
This.

#grief #bereft #letthembesad #feelawkward #pain #megandevine
September 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
jonbowie.bsky.social
#Dinosaurs #Aliens
#Dinosaurs #Aliens Two archeologists stand over a hole with a T-Rex skeleton biting a UFO saying "This complicates things"
November 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
jonathantoteo.bsky.social Jonathan Teo @jonathantoteo.bsky.social · Sep 4
People don't "move on". Their grief does not shrink. Their grief is the same.

We do "move forward" though. We learn to cope with the grief better on a day-to-day basis than we did at the start, growing around it. But it is always still there.

#grief #bereft #widowhood #coping #moveforward
November 17, 2025 at 11:54 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
#buildingsofcarlton #buildingsofmelbourne
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
#doorsofcarlton #doorsofmelbourne
November 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
I know it can be uncomfortable letting a grieving person talk about their loved one. It reminds you that the death of your loved ones is possible.

But, PLEASE don't prevent us from speaking of them. It is the only way we can be with them now.

#grief #bereft #widowhood #memories
September 4, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
mfcarter.bsky.social
Do not terrorize people!
November 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
amybethcupp.bsky.social
I’m fancy like that. 😆
November 6, 2025 at 11:29 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
Well done, NYC!

#itsMamdani #itsMayorMamdani #NYC #NYCMayoralRace
australia.theguardian.com Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 16d
Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani was elected on Tuesday as the 111th mayor of New York City, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and making history as the city’s first Muslim mayor. 🔗 👉 www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
November 5, 2025 at 3:39 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
This is from the Pretty Painful Grief Book on Instagram - found at @prettypainfulgriefbook

It says a lot.

#grief #widowhood #bereft #pain #thepriceoflove #prettypainfulgriefbook
Black text on a white background that says "They say grief is the price we pay for love. And if that's true, I'd pay it again and again. Even knowing how much it hurst now. Even knowing the ache will never leave. Because what I had - what we shared - was worth every ounce of this heartbreak. Love that deep doesn't vanish. It lingers in the empty spaces, in the memories, in the ache that never really softens. And, yes, it's painful. Sometimes unbearably so. But it's also sacred. Proof that they were real. Proof that they mattered. Proof that even the sharpest pain comes from something beautiful."
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
#grief #widowhood #bereft #everythingchanges
Image of a wooden walkway going into the fog in the distance with the words "When you lose someone you truly love with all your hear, EVERY. SINGLE. THING. CHANGES. You are handed a new life that you never asked for and that you don't particularly want. It is the hardest, most gut-wrenching, horrific, life-altering of things to live with."
November 5, 2025 at 3:16 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
The greatest gift I ever received was his love.

#love #loss #lovestilllives #widowhood #grief #bereft
Image by @risewithgrief says “I lost you. But I also got to love you. And to be loved by you. That love still lives in every part of me. I will forever be grateful for that.”
October 21, 2025 at 2:12 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
From a support group for widowed people (i.e., wids), here are some that they all agree you shouldn't say.

You may think you're being supportive and/or understanding, but you're not when you say these things to us.

Pt. 2

#widowhood #grief #bereft #dontsaythat
Image that says "Don't say these things to someone whose person* has died, Pt 2" and the asterisk explains that the person refers to "their spouse or partner". Image: The next thing not to say "I know how you feel. My pet died" with the explanation, "As with #1, this is not the same. Whilst it is understood that pets are often seen as part of our families, losing a pet to death is not the same as losing your person, the love of your life, the one you thought you'd be together with for decades." Image: The next thing not to say, "Everything happens for a reason/It was God's will." with the explanation "This is not as comforting as you think. They just lost their person. Their world has collapsed. The life they thought they were going to have is gone. And, you offering this platitude does not make them feel better." Image: the next thing not to say "Why are you dating already?" with the explanation "The opposite of #3. It is their life and their grief journey. Even if you are a widowed person yourself, remember they aren ot you. Don't put personal judgement on how they handle that journey. They know what is right and best for them."
October 20, 2025 at 1:56 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
From a support group for widowed people (i.e., wids), here are some that they all agree you shouldn't say.

You may think you're being supportive and/or understanding, but you're not when you say these things to us.

Pt. 1

#widowhood #grief #bereft #dontsaythat
Image that says "Don't say these things to someone whose person* has died, Pt 1" and the asterisk explains that the person refers to "their spouse or partner". Image: The first thing not to say is "I know how you feel. I recently broke up with my person" with the explanation "This is not the same. The end of your relationship was a choice. And, your person is still alive. ou could get back together with them. Widowed people didn't have a choice and don't have this option." Image: the next thing not to say is "It's been [amount of time]. Isn't it time to get over it and move on?" with the explanation "Would you say this to someone who is grieving their dead child? Their dead parent? Sibling? No? Then why are you saying it to a widowed person?" Image: the next thing not to say is "When are you going to start dating again?" with the explanation "Yes, some widowed people start dating again at some point. But, this question can be seen to be negating the person's grief or the memory of their person. And, again, would you ask someone who has lost a child when they are having another?"
October 19, 2025 at 11:44 PM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
The lack of him in my life will never diminish. I will just find ways to move forward and grow around his absence.

#widowhood #grief #bereft #loss
Post that states "His absence is ever present; a hole in my life that will never be filled".
October 16, 2025 at 1:41 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
It's been 2 years since Julian's death. Two years of missing him every day. Two years of trying to move forward, to find a new path without him.

His absence is ever present.

I love him as much today as I did then. I will always love him. He will never be forgotten. ❤️❤️❤️

#grief #widowhood #bereft
October 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 2:13 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
#old #tired #epicshit #mehpicshit #meh
October 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
Vale Hyacinth Bucket.

I hope your place in the afterlife has a sauna, a swimming pool & room for a pony.

And that you’re using your Royal Doulton china w/the hand painted periwinkles for a candlelight supper w/the angels.

#hyacinthbucket #ladyofthehouse #itsbouqet #patriciaroutledge
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
ianvisits.co.uk
In memoriam...
October 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Reposted by Jonathan Teo
phillewis.bsky.social
Jane Goodall, ethologist and conservationist, has died. She was 91
October 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
jonathantoteo.bsky.social
This. He was my home. He made my world better.

I not only lost him the day he died; I lost myself because who I was was because of his presence, his influence, his LOVE.

#bereft #grief #widowhood #loss #death
September 26, 2025 at 3:49 AM