❤️ Loving Again Doesn’t Mean You Stopped Grieving

Life after loss is not either/or—it’s both/and.

After you lose someone you love, it feels impossible to imagine a future that holds joy again. Especially joy wrapped in love. In connection. In the vulnerable, complicated, beautiful thing that is dating after loss.

But eventually, for some of us, that moment comes.
The moment where the ache softens just enough to let in the question:
Could I love again?

And right alongside that question comes another:

Am I allowed to?

I’ve lived this.
I’ve navigated the awkward first dates, the guilt of laughing again, the deep ache of missing someone while also letting someone new in.

Let’s be clear: dating after loss is not about replacing.
It’s about continuing. Expanding. Evolving.
It’s about honoring love in all its forms—and understanding that grief and joy can coexist in the same moment, the same heart, the same relationship.

You don’t move on from love.
You move forward with it.

Grief doesn’t disappear when you meet someone new.
If anything, it shows up in new ways. And so do your triggers, your tenderness, and your strength.

You might feel guilty for smiling too much.
You might avoid talking about your past.
You might want to run the moment it gets real.
You might compare, then feel guilty for comparing.

And all of that? It’s normal.

Dating after loss is brave.
Opening your heart again is courageous.
And struggling with the complexity of it all doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It means you’re human.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• You can miss someone and love someone else.
• You can carry grief and still reach for joy.
• You can tell your story honestly and still create a new one.
• You can take your time. There’s no rush.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about dating again, or already in a relationship after loss, know this:

Your grief belongs.
Your heart is wise.
And whatever timeline you’re on—it’s okay.

This is the work I hold space for—in my Inner Circle, on retreats, and in every offering I create.

Because life after loss isn’t linear.
It’s layered. It’s tender. It’s powerful.
And you don’t have to walk it alone.

With love,

Michelle ❤️

Work with Michelle in her Inner Circle. Save a spot on our waiting list. info@gomorewellness.com