When you are hit with the trauma of losing something you loved deeply, our bodies go through a trauma response, and we feel like we're on high alert. It can also feel like:

• Feeling 'on edge' for anything else that might happen.
• Feeling emotionally numb, as if in a state of 'shock'.
• Becoming emotional and upset.
• Feeling extremely fatigued and tired.
• Feeling very stressed and/or anxious.
• Feeling angry

Last night, I was overwhelmed with anger. It was midnight, I jumped in my car and went for a drive, listening to music. I then drove to my primary school carpark, remembering all the fun times I had there as a kid. I was school captain of that school, and I was so proud. 

I imagined what Arlo would look like in a couple of years in her school uniform, and all the amazing things she will achieve in this life. 

The anger soon turned to sadness, and after crying out all my tears, I drove home and climbed into bed with my little family. We can't control the emotions we're experiencing, but we can control how we channel, process and release them. 

Here are five things that have always helped me move through grief. 

1. Get a tattoo- Yep, you got it! Get some ink as a memorial of what you've just been through. To represent that chapter. All of my tattoos represent a time in my life that was meaningful. The times when I went through an 'initiation' process for my soul to grow through. 
2. Create a playlist- Music is a great way to heal. Choose songs with lyrics that are meaningful to you. Songs you can cry to, songs that guide you, and songs you can bust out and dance to. In all ancient cultures, we used song, dance, and music to heal, to celebrate, to connect and come together. So jump on spotify, and create your playlist!
3. Mindful Movement- Whether it's yoga, running, walking, HIIT training, or kickboxing, find a movement practice you enjoy, and do it daily. Mix it up. Sometimes you'll be low in energy, so respect your body and do yoga. Sometimes you'll be overwhelmed with anger, so put some gloves on, and cut sick on a punching bag. Releasing grief from our physical body allows us to feel lighter, as well as calm and more peaceful. 
4. Breath-work- Having a regular breath work practice, allows the nervous system to return to it's natural state. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, on edge and clouded by your emotions, your breath can guide you back to feelings of love and peace. By deepening your inhale, and really slowing down your exhale, you are activating the relaxation response in the body. You return to your true nature. 
5. Create a garden- This can be a special place for you to nurture and grow beautiful flowers and plants. Digging in the dirt and connecting to Mother Earth is vital for our wellbeing. Allow your thoughts to come and go, without judgement, as you allow our Great Mother to heal you. Your heart will flourish again, just like your special garden you create. 

It's not sustainable to live in our grief forever. It can be so exhausting. We must find a way to keep moving forward and allow ourselves the space to heal. We need to look to the sky for guidance, and find beauty in the world again. Spirit never hands us what we can't handle. Even though sometimes it feels like we can break.

"But when we dig in the ashes
We find one ember

And very gently we fan that ember
Blow on it, it gets brighter
And from that ember we rebuild the fire
The only thing that's important is that ember"