7 tips to Grieve Well, Heal Deeply & move on

If you are in a grieving process, and feel messy or all over the place — this is normal!

I have never found consistency in grieving any loss. It’s a process, and it’s different each time.

The Five Stages of Grief are not a linear journey to healing. You might revisit each stage multiple times until one day you finally stay in the stage of acceptance. You can’t rush any of the Five Stages of Grief, because moving on happens one day at a time. But, if you understand this about the Five Stages of Grief, it won’t seem so confusing and you will be able to embrace the process and grieve with more ease toward your heart.

Now I won’t tell you that there’s an easy cure or quick solution to avoid the painful emotions involved in grieving. The only way out is through.
You have to feel it, and get to a place where you accept what happened. But I do want to help you avoid getting stuck, so you can move on sooner with life—and thrive!

I once went through a season of 14 months, where I experienced four different losses within that year. It was a lot in a short period of time, and it was devastating. Each loss knocked me off my feet, and I had to learn to get back up from the pain of loss, betrayal, rejection, and heartbreak. But I discovered such a resilience and inner strength within me in that season, and those became my power tools. Once you overcome devastation, it can change you for the good if you let it. I didn’t allow it to make me bitter, I only allowed it to make me so much better.

1. Sit in it.

This can be the hardest one, but probably the most important. So we will start here. There are options all around you everyday to numb your emotions with social media, movies, people, food, work, etc. It has become so habitual for us to mindlessly start scrolling when something is eating at us. But, I propose you set aside time to sit and feel your emotions. Be mindful of what emotions you’re feeling, where you feel it in your body, and what thoughts come to mind. It doesn’t always feel intuitive, but the more you can practice this, the faster you can process through grief. Many times people get stuck in one of these stages. You must acknowledge what you’re feeling to be able to accept your experience and fully move on. That is true self-care. If you are having trouble identifying your emotions, download my FREE writing exercise for healing, ‘What am I feeling?’

2. Talk about it.
Talk to a therapist, a counselor, a mentor, a family member, or a close friend. Air out your heart with a confidant who can validate your emotions and experience. You don’t have to walk this process alone, and you shouldn’t. There are amazing people in this world to walk alongside you.

3. Forgive.
You are the one who wins when you forgive! Whether it’s forgiving yourself, or someone else, unforgiveness is like carrying a weight on your shoulders everywhere. You carry that weight around when you harbor resentment or bitterness. The best way you can move on from someone is to forgive them, and focus on living your best life possible. The best redemption comes from letting go and not letting it affect you anymore.

4. Move your body.

Emotions can literally get trapped in parts of your body. Grieving can be very stressful on the body, and the best way to release that stress is exercise. Whether it’s through dancing, yoga, running, or lifting weights, movement is so good for releasing endorphins that bring clarity to your heart and mind.

5. Eat healthy.
Nourish your body, and give it the strength it needs. Sometimes grief takes away your appetite, but nourish your body with good foods that satisfy. You will be nourishing your body, but also nourishing your soul.

6. Journal.
Write out your process so you can get your thoughts outside yourself. I like to do stream of consciousness writing, where I let my pen write whatever comes out of me. It’s so freeing, and it allows your mind to cleanse itself on paper.

7. Create.
Paint, draw, sculpt, write, sing, color, design, photograph — whatever outlet you can find to creatively express yourself! There is something so deep that happens when I put paint colors on a canvas. I tap into my soul in a way that releases deep emotions. It’s so healing.

For more ideas on self-care during a grieving period, I recommend my 72 Ideas for Self-Care List! Or download my FREE writing prompt for healing, ‘What am I feeling?’

5-Stages-of-Grief (and Self-Care Tips)
72 Ideas for Self-Care