After experiencing a profound loss—whether it's a spiritual loss or the physical death of a loved one—it's common for people to wonder, "Am I allowed to move on? Am I allowed to smile again?" Dr. Robin says that moving on with your own life doesn't mean you're leaving your loved ones behind or being disloyal. "It means that you move on and seize this very moment in honor of them and in celebration of the fact that you are still here," Dr. Robin says.

Seek a way to stay connected with the person or experiences you've lost without being stuck, Dr. Robin says, knowing that you won't become disconnected or lose your happy memories. Perhaps this involves parting with old belongings. Or it may mean engaging in fun activities that your departed loved one would have enjoyed. "The loving bond simply cannot be tampered with, it can't be broken, so you don't have to worry if you smile and laugh and you engage in your life," Dr. Robin says.