The other day, I received this question from one of my followers. She recently lost her husband and asked me, “How do I go on after losing a loved one?”

When I read this question, I got a little bit tearful as I remember this feeling oh so well. This is a soul layer question and one I think will resonate with many of you.

The quick answer that I usually give when people ask me how I went on is, “I did it because I had to. I didn’t have a choice.” The truth is, there is not one perfect answer; but, I have 3 powerful tips to share with you.

I’ll begin with a personal story.

When I was in deep grief after the loss of my partner to cancer, I remember one day I had to cross the street to my dad’s house where I was staying. There was a semi truck coming. I saw it and I didn’t care. I crossed anyway thinking”If it hits me, oh well.”

I was so deep in my grief that I didn’t care if I lived or died. Actually, at times (probably more than I’d like to admit) I thought I’d rather die. At least then, maybe I could be with him again.

The semi trucked laid on the horn and came so close to hitting me I could feel its powerful energy. And, in that one split-second-moment when I thought I might die, I looked up in embarrassment desperately hoping that my dad wasn’t watching from the window.

In that split second, I realized that if the semi hit me, I’d leave my dad feeling the way I did. Luckily, he didn’t see (at least he never told me if he did).

I went into the house. Locked myself in my bedroom. And cried for hours.

And, I vowed in those early days of my grief that if I couldn’t get through it for me, at least I could try for my dad.

Tip 1: Is there someone in your life you can live for? (This isn’t a long term solution. But, it certainly helps when it feels like all hope is gone).

I started taking daily walks by the beach. At the time I didn’t know much about energy healing. All I knew was it made me feel better. On the really bad days, I walked faster and sometimes even found myself walking up and down hills at a vigorous pace. One day, a friend told me she saw me power walking in the pouring rain. She said, “You must be crazy. Why were you out on a day like that?”

I laughed. What I should have said was, “I was walking to save my life.”

Tip 2: Grief is a powerful energy that needs to be moved and expressed. I didn’t know it at the time, but by walking I was moving that energy. I was giving my grief an outlet. When it was really bad, I moved even harder. I invite you to find an outlet for your grief. Walk. Run. Scream. Dance. Sing. Create. Whatever feels right for you. Do it often. Daily if you can.

Tip 3: Connect with nature. I chose the beach because that’s what resonates with me. But anywhere in nature will do. Nature has a lovely way of reminding us of the beauty in life. Even when it feels horribly dark.

For me, there was never a day where I woke up and realized I actually felt better. But, somewhere along the way (as I used these three tools) it did happen.

Be Gentle on yourself. Be Kind. Healing is a process. You are doing a Beautiful job.